The Eastern Loire
The often-overlooked upstream stretch: Orléans and the memory of Joan of Arc, the moated fortress of Sully-sur-Loire, then Gien with its polychrome brick castle and faience works.
Suggested timings
Indicative timings for a 9:00am start by car, lunch break included. Adjust them to each site's opening hours.
- Drive46 min • 48 km
- Drive26 min • 27 kmLunch break • 60 min
- 1
Stop 01 • Orléans09:00 – 10:30Visit 1h30Orléans – Fine Arts & Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc's city, Sainte-Croix cathedral and the Fine Arts museum.
Visit → - 2Stop 02 • Sully-sur-Loire11:16 – 12:46Visit 1h30Drive 46 min
Château of Sully-sur-Loire
A moated medieval fortress guarding the eastern Loire Valley.
Visit → - 3Stop 03 • Gien14:12 – 15:42Visit 1h30Drive 26 min
Gien – Castle museum & faience
Anne de Beaujeu's castle, hunting museum and historic faience works.
Visit →
Practical tips
Set off around 9:00am: most sites open between 9:00 and 10:00 and crowds are still light early on.
Book museums and guided tours online, especially from June to September and during school holidays.
Walking shoes, a windproof layer and water: much of the route is outdoors and often exposed.
Two châteaux a day is enough: allow 1.5 to 2 hours per estate, gardens included, and 30 to 50 min of driving between them.
Multi-château passes exist (Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry…) and let you skip the queue in high season.
The Loire à Vélo route links several stops on protected paths: a pleasant alternative on short sections.
Gardens peak from May to September; some sites cut their opening hours in January and February.