Place du Martroi

The Place du Martroi, in Orléans

The Place du Martroi is the central square of Orléans, dominated by the famous equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. The Orléans audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic heart of the town, devoted to the heroine who delivered the town from the English siege during the Hundred Years' War.

The heart of the Joan of Arc town

In Orléans, you enter at once into the atmosphere: the star is Jehanne! As everyone knows, Joan of Arc delivered the town of Orléans from the siege of the English during the Hundred Years' War, and allowed thus Charles VII to be crowned legitimate king of France. You can therefore well suspect that the town celebrates with fervour its heroine, and it is on the Place du Martroi, its central and emblematic square, that her famous statue stands. This imposing equestrian statue, raised in the nineteenth century, represents Joan in armour, on horseback, proudly brandishing her standard, in a gesture full of momentum and bravery. It sits in the centre of the vast square, adorned with a pedestal sculpted with scenes of her epic. The Place du Martroi, surrounded by fine buildings with harmonious façades, is the beating heart of Orléans, a place of gathering, promenade and festivities, notably during the famous Joan of Arc festivals that commemorate each year the deliverance of the town. Lively and elegant, it embodies the soul and the pride of a town inseparable from the memory of Joan of Arc. An emblematic square and a tribute to the heroine, the Place du Martroi is a must-see stop of the discovery of Orléans.

What to see

You admire the central and emblematic square of Orléans, dominated by the famous equestrian statue of Joan of Arc in armour brandishing her standard, raised in the nineteenth century on a pedestal sculpted with scenes of her epic; surrounded by fine harmonious buildings, this vast square is the beating heart of the town, a place of gathering and festivities, notably during the Joan of Arc festivals. The Place du Martroi is the heart of Orléans. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Place du Martroi lies in the heart of Orléans, reachable on foot and by tram. It is a freely accessible public square, lined with shops and cafés. It is lively all year and particularly vibrant during the Joan of Arc festivals, generally in spring. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

Why is the Place du Martroi emblematic of Orléans?

Because it is the central square of the town and it is dominated by the famous equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, the heroine who delivered Orléans from the siege of the English during the Hundred Years' War and allowed the coronation of Charles VII; raised in the nineteenth century, the statue sits in the centre of the square, beating heart of the town and place of the Joan of Arc festivals.

Where is the Place du Martroi in Orléans?

In the heart of Orléans, in France.