Orleans

In my ‘few words’ description, I’d say Orleans is a bit drab, functional.

Only one serious city park that I found, though the river quay is quite nice. And the tramlines have grass between the tracks away from the very inner city. But it doesn’t have the vibrant colours or geranium boxes of the houses in countries further east.

Jeanne d’Arc is a feature. From north of here, she apparently had a vision that she was to help Charles VII liberate France from the English towards the end of the 100 years war. He sent her to help relieve the siege of Orleans, which then ended 9 days later and Joan got the credit. Not long after she was captured and tried by a bishop for some misdemeanours and at 19 was burnt at the stake in 1431.  Subsequently a papal court exonerated her and declared her to be a martyr. She was later canonised.

Orleans has taken her to heart.

Statues abound. And she is the main feature of the spectacular sound and light show at the cathedral (where she attended mass).

The old town has some interesting half-timber houses. And those of you who have stuck with this blog over the weeks will,remember the photo of different construction processes for half-timber … (in Plasy, CZE).

And how many different types of Sardines are there?