Loire Riverbanks

The banks of the Loire, in Orléans

The banks of the Loire of Orléans have been nicely laid out to offer a pleasant walk along the royal river. The Orléans audio-guided tour stops here to evoke these peaceful quays, witnesses of the fluvial past of the town, in the setting of the Loire Valley listed as world heritage.

The promenade along the royal river

The banks of the Loire have been nicely laid out to allow to enjoy a pleasant walk along the water. The royal river, the Loire, the longest river of France, crosses Orléans and shaped all its history. For centuries, the town was a great river port: it is on the Loire that goods, wines, salt and travellers transited, aboard the traditional flat-bottomed boats, and this fluvial trade made the prosperity of Orléans. The quays, formerly places of intense activity, have been redeveloped into pleasant promenades, where you stroll today at the water's edge, between the green banks, the historic ports and the fine perspectives over the river and its bridges. The Loire Valley, in which the town is part, is moreover classified as UNESCO world heritage for the beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its history. The banks of the Loire also host the famous Loire Festival, a great gathering of the river marine. A setting of promenade, relaxation and nature, they offer a peaceful and romantic face of Orléans. A promenade at the water's edge and a witness of the fluvial past, the banks of the Loire are a fine stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you stroll on the quays nicely laid out at the edge of the Loire, the longest river of France, that made the prosperity of Orléans as a great river port; redeveloped into pleasant promenades, the banks offer greenery, historic ports and fine perspectives over the river and its bridges, in the setting of the Loire Valley classified by UNESCO, and host the famous Loire Festival. The banks of the Loire are a peaceful promenade of Orléans. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The banks of the Loire line the river in the heart of Orléans, reachable on foot. They are public quays and promenades, freely accessible, pleasant for the walk, the bike and the relaxation. The Loire Festival is held there in certain years, generally in autumn. The walk there is particularly pleasant in fine weather.

Why are the banks of the Loire important in Orléans?

Because the Loire, the longest river of France, shaped the history of Orléans, long a great river port where goods and travellers transited; nicely redeveloped into promenades, the banks of the Loire offer greenery, historic ports and fine perspectives over the river, in the setting of the Loire Valley classified by UNESCO, and host the Loire Festival.

Where are the banks of the Loire in Orléans?

Along the river, in the heart of Orléans, in France.