Joan of Arc is undoubtedly Orleans’ heroin, as this is where she bravely rallied troops to battle the English during the Hundred Years’ War. Her memory is honoured each year with a festival in early May, when performers dress in medieval garb and play traditional music. The Maison de Jeanne d’Arch is the museum that tells her life story. Another point of interest is the Saint-Croix cathedral; frequently compared to the Notre Dame in Paris, its gothic towers are among the most spectacular in the country. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll alongside the river Loire, elsewhere food markets and bistros serving rustic cuisine abound, and there are high end boutiques for those who fancy a spot of retail therapy.
