What to do and visit in Loiret around Orléans?

Orléans is a city with rich heritage, an ideal provincial city to get some fresh air and enjoy the architectural and natural sites near the city. Numerous cultural and festive events are scheduled throughout the year, history plays an important part in this central region, the Johannique Festivals which commemorate the arrival of Joan of Arc and the liberation from the English are part of it. Sologne and its forest, the Gâtinais terroir, hiking, river tourism...

There really is something for all tastes and all age groups, here's a little overview of the activities available in Loiret around Orléans.

Discovering Sologne

Are you looking for wild beauty, endless forests, moors and ponds? Sologne is made for you! The landscapes are very varied, you'll go from immense birch forests to ponds, before discovering wet meadows where violet orchids and red meadow flowers mix in flooded meadows, then moors blooming with purple heather.

The fauna is not to be outdone, you can observe deer, roe deer and does in the forest, fish in the ponds including the eel with a sucker mouth, dragonflies, raptors and some 200 different bird species throughout the year. Don't hesitate to visit the Beaumont pond observatory as well as the pond house in Saint-Viâtre to learn more about this extraordinary forest and its inhabitants.

Outings on the themes of fauna, flora and landscapes are organized by the Sologne Nature Environment association.

The GR 3C hiking trail, from Gien to Chambord, is perfect for discovering Sologne.

The Ciran Domain: this Sologne fauna and flora conservatory helps tourists better understand this environment, recognize animal tracks, pick mushrooms, listen to the stag's roar during mating season...

chateau de la ferte saint aubin — © Shutterstock

Which Loiret castles to visit near Orléans?

1. La Ferté-Saint-Aubin Castle

This magnificent 17th century castle offers a self-guided tour, richly furnished rooms on 3 floors, the stables, the toy attic with a beautiful collection of antique toys, explanations of how the kitchen works by people in period costume who will make you taste homemade madeleines, 40 hectares of park with garden games (chess, mini-golf 15 tracks, life-size goose game)... Dive into history in a fun way!

Activities offered at the castle: escape game, madeleine tasting, shows & concerts...

2. Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire Castle

This medieval castle, converted into more comfortable housing in the 16th century, consists of 25 fully furnished rooms, state apartments... 1,000 years of history are discovered through the guided tour, but also through investigation courses, an escape game, haunted evenings that will delight young and old.

3. La Bussière Castle

This castle can be visited both inside and outside with its park, its pond where you can take a boat ride, its vegetable garden (remarkable garden) and its shaded paths designed by André Le Nôtre... Charm and poetry are on the agenda and puzzle games for children.

4. Meung-sur-Loire Castle

Built in the 13th century, this castle presents 2,000 objects, 20 richly furnished rooms and an odorama trail that will make you travel through time. The bravest will visit the dark and cold underground passages...

5. Chamerolles Castle

Built by Lancelot du Lac in the 16th century, this medieval and Renaissance castle offers a beautiful open gallery, moats and defensive towers, flower gardens, a water mirror, as well as an olfactory journey discovering scents and perfumes from the 16th century to today.

6. Gien Castle-Museum

It houses the hunting museum, an interactive visit is offered: searching for 15 ornamental details.

Which museums to visit?

1. Ligny-Le-Ribault Ecomuseum

Discover life in Sologne in the 1900s, the craftsmen, their workshops and tools, the inhabitants' life in their houses, clothes, old traditions, the post office dating from 1920... This private museum makes you travel to another era.

2. Loire Navy Museum

This museum is a true immersion into the life of sailors, craftsmen and inhabitants of the Loire banks and their traditions. Boarding hall, boats, goods quay... Everything is there to bring back to life these not-so-distant times...

Discovering the Loire

This powerful river of striking beauty is the last wild river in Europe with its meanders and preserved sites where birds, beavers and other animals live in harmony. You can observe and follow it:

By bike: through a 900 km circuit connecting Nevers to Saint-Nazaire, which of course passes through Orléans. The Loire crosses Loiret over nearly 150 km. You can pedal to Amboise castle or towards Gien. You'll pass through charming small villages and can taste local specialties.
By boat: board a traditional navy boat, once used on the "royal" river for goods transport: gabares, toues and futreaux have reappeared on this mythical river for the great pleasure of enthusiasts and tourists. There are also electric boat rentals without license.
By canoe-kayak: it's very easy to find a canoe or kayak rental to explore the Loire around Orléans. Paddle, pedal boat or rowboat rental...
By hot air balloon: fly over the Loire valley in a hot air balloon and live a waking dream! On the program: castles and historical monuments, UNESCO classified landscape, breathtaking panoramic view...
By ultralight aircraft...

Absolutely must see

The last large still wild meander of Loiret, the Centre-Val-de-Loire Natural Spaces Conservatory extends over 400 hectares, a trail allows you to discover it in complete tranquility.

Remarkable sites: beavers, otters, birds and 570 plant species are to be discovered in this reserve that extends over 5 villages.

Many guinguettes have returned to the Loire banks, a good opportunity to have a drink, blend into a country atmosphere and dance!

Culinary specialties

Jargeau andouille, Olivet cheese, soft or puff pithiviers, Olivet pear, Orléans vinegar, Mazet pralines, Gâtinais honey and saffron...