[2 HOURS AWAY FROM PARIS] – ORLEANS FOR A RELAXING WEEKEND

Sep 18, 2017
2 min read

New serie of articles: I give you advice of places only 2 hours away from Paris to spend a nice and relaxing weekend outside the hustle and bustle of the city.

I love Paris but from time to time I feel the need to get some fresh air!

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Let’s go !!! The first destination I recommend you is ------> ORLEANS

By train or by car the city is close from the capital. With its old town, beautiful parks and its proximity with the Loire, Orléans is peaceful and relaxing.

Departure early in the morning to avoid traffic jam! The weather is not perfect as you may see on the photos however it was not cold neither raining so it was ok.

Orléans is one of the main town in the Center region, the Loire river valley. It’s an historical city, which had the chance to not be too damage during the Second World War. Plus, Orléans is very well managed, clean and flowery, which is very enjoyable as it gives a special charm to the city.

Small historical information: Orléans is well known, at least in France, for its association with ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ (Joan of Arc), the Maid of Orléans. Joan of Arc is the peasant girl who heard God telling her to guide the King in his battle against the English, which she did. She helped defeat the English in the siege of Orleans and ultimately to enable France to defeat the English. If you are interested, click here for more information. ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ stays a main figure in French history, also you will see various tributes for example the statue of Joan of Ars in the Place du Martroi.

Here some pics of the garden and the streets I passed through in Orléans.

When I was walking in the street and my stomach started rumbling I stop in a burger restaurant called "Oh Terroir!" (=Terroirs, land). You definitely have to go there if you like burgers. All the ingredients are local products. It was really yummy! What I particularly appreciated is their unlimited drinks offer. Many tastes (kiwi, peach, cranberry, mint…), all natural!

One day is enough to visit Orléans and its surroundings such as in the “Château de Chamerolles” and the “Parc Floral de la Course”. I chose to visit the castle.

“Château de Chamerolles” was beautiful and peaceful. In the castle, there is an exhibition about smells and the process of making fragrances, which was quite interesting. In the park, they also invite you to smell the different plants and flowers. Definitely, the best periods to go are spring and summer when the flowers blossom.

Here some pictures.