View from Rue Jeanne d'Arc

The perspective of the rue Jeanne d'Arc, in Orléans

The rue Jeanne d'Arc opens majestically onto the cathedral of Sainte-Croix, offering the most famous image of Orléans. The Orléans audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this grandiose perspective, cut through in the nineteenth century, that stages the Gothic jewel of the town.

The finest perspective of the town

The rue Jeanne d'Arc, that opens majestically onto the cathedral of Sainte-Croix, certainly offers the most famous image of Orléans. And it is no coincidence: this great rectilinear artery was cut through in the nineteenth century precisely to create this spectacular perspective and to give the cathedral a setting worthy of its majesty. In the image of the great urban works that were then transforming the French towns, this wide and straight way was traced through the medieval fabric, aligning its façades to better highlight the Gothic building at the end of the perspective. The result is striking: from the bottom of the street, the gaze is irresistibly drawn towards the two towers and the richly ornate façade of the cathedral, that stand in the perfect axis of the street, creating an urban staging of great power. This perspective, particularly beautiful in the evening light or during the illuminations, is one of the most photographed viewpoints of the town. It illustrates the art of the urbanism of the nineteenth century, that knew how to sublimate the old heritage. A grandiose perspective and a postcard of the town, the rue Jeanne d'Arc is a fine stop of the discovery of Orléans.

What to see

Here you enjoy the finest perspective of Orléans: the rue Jeanne d'Arc, a wide rectilinear artery cut through in the nineteenth century, opens majestically onto the cathedral of Sainte-Croix, whose two towers and ornate façade stand in the perfect axis of the street; this urban staging, particularly beautiful in the evening light, offers the most famous image of the town. The perspective of the rue Jeanne d'Arc is a postcard of Orléans. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The rue Jeanne d'Arc links the centre of Orléans to the cathedral of Sainte-Croix, reachable on foot. It is a public street freely accessible, lined with shops. The perspective over the cathedral is particularly beautiful in the evening light and during the illuminations. You discover it by going up the street towards the building.

Why does the rue Jeanne d'Arc offer the most famous image of Orléans?

Because it was cut through in the nineteenth century precisely to create a spectacular perspective over the cathedral of Sainte-Croix: this wide rectilinear artery aligns its façades to better highlight the Gothic building, whose two towers and ornate façade stand in the perfect axis of the street, creating a striking urban staging, particularly beautiful in the evening light.

Where is the perspective of the rue Jeanne d'Arc in Orléans?

Along the rue Jeanne d'Arc, towards the cathedral of Sainte-Croix, in the heart of Orléans, in France.