Place du Martroi

Alright, let’s dive right into the atmosphere. Here in Orléans, the star of the show is Jehanne — or as you probably know her, Joan of Arc. You know the story: during the Hundred Years’ War, she lifted the siege of Orléans and cleared the way for Charles VII to be crowned the rightful King of France. So, as you can imagine, the people of Orléans are deeply grateful. Let’s just say that without her, French history—and maybe even the language—could have turned out very differently. You’ll see tributes to her all over the city, starting right here with this striking equestrian statue overlooking Place du Martroi. This square has seen a lot over the centuries. It was a major gathering place — during the French Revolution, it even hosted a guillotine. But its roots go back further. This spot once held a gate in the medieval walls built to defend the city from the English. If you’re curious, you can still see the original foundations of the 14th-century Bannier Gate — just head down to the underground parking beneath the square. The archaeological crypt is open for visits, but you’ll need to book through the Tourist Office. Now, back to that statue. The bronze figure you see here is 4.4 meters tall and was sculpted by Denis Foyatier. It replaced an earlier version from 1804, which people found a bit lifeless — Joan standing stiffly with her banner just didn’t quite capture her spirit. So the city rallied. Through public lotteries, they raised 60,000 francs to fund this new version: the Maid of Orléans, sword lowered, horse at rest, giving thanks to God for victory. It was inaugurated in 1855, and legend has it the statue was cast from English cannons, recovered from the Ministry of Defense. Now that’s symbolic.