Orléans / Meung-sur-Loire
A main gateway to the Loire Valley, Orléans is a city where the Loire and French history meet dramatically. The town is welcoming, its centre geared to pedestrians who can enjoy a slow pace and a peaceful atmosphere exploring the historic quarters and Ste-Croix Cathedral. After a good wander, time to get on your bike again, starting by enjoying discovering the lovely confluence of Loiret and Loire Rivers. Next, the route takes you in part along a stretch of Loire levée, allowing you to look across the wide agricultural and market-gardening lands up to Meung-sur-Loire. In this historic town, the Château de Meung-sur-Loire’s dungeons once housed disruptive medieval poet François Villon!
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
Take care crossing the bridge at Meung-sur-Loire, on the D18 road.
Surfacing smooth: the asphalt is in good condition along the Loire levée.
Links
To Orléans town centre and train station
Trains
- Orléans train station, with good daily services to and from Paris to the northeast and to and from Blois and Tours to the southwest
- Meung-sur-Loire train station
Don’t miss
- Orléans: designated a Ville d’Art & d’Histoire for its rich historical legacy; Cathédrale Sainte-Croix; Maison de Jeanne d’Arc (on Joan of Arc); Hôtel Groslot (an historic house turned town hall); the restored Loire-side quays
- Pointe de Courpain: at the confluence of Loiret and Loire Rivers
- Cléry-St-André: Notre-Dame de Cléry Basilica
- Orléanais vineyards (the wines awarded AOC status)
- Meung-sur-Loire: the château; Saint-Liphard collegiate church; the Jardin de Roquelin (a garden open to the public)
