Bon week-end from Place du Martroi, Orléans

Place du Martroi is the principal square in the centre of Orléans, and at its heart stands the city's famous equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, created by Denis Foyatier and inaugurated in 1855. The square itself is considerably older, although it did not exist in its present form when Joan came to Orléans in 1429.

The name Martroi comes from martyrium, and the site has a long and rather varied history. It was once associated with a cemetery, later became a grain market and during the Revolution the guillotine was erected here. Today it is a largely pedestrianised meeting place, with the tram quietly crossing the square. 

Part of the “Bon weekend from the Loire” Series

Each Friday, we share a quiet moment from the Loire — a region that invites you to unwind, a beautiful weekend at a time.

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Saturday on the streets...

Rue Jeanne d'Arc is Orléans' grand ceremonial street, created in the 19th century to provide a magnificent approach to the cathedral. Running in a straight line from the Loire towards the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix, it offers one of the finest urban vistas in France, with the cathedral dominating the skyline at its northern end.

Bon samedi dans Centre-Val de Loire!

“The streets here don’t hurry. They simply invite you to walk, to notice, to belong.”

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Part of the “On the Streets of the Loire” Series

Each Saturday, we stroll through the lanes and cobbles of Loire towns and villages — places where every step feels like a story.

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Wednesday for Windows : Saint Joan of Arc in Stained Glass – Église, Manthelon.

Today’s window: inside the Église Saints-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais-et-Volusien in Manthelon (Indre-et-Loire), a tall arched stained glass portraying Sainte Jeanne d'Arc (Saint Joan of Arc).

She stands tall in white armor, blue cloak flowing, golden halo shining, holding her banner aloft and sword at her side, classic iconography of the Maid of Orléans as protector and martyr. The rich greens, purples, reds, and golds glow against the grey stone, with floral and geometric borders adding delicate detail.

The church itself has deep roots: an early sanctuary from the late 5th century welcomed relics of Saints Gervais and Protais, brought by Bishop Volusien of Tours. The current neo-Romanesque building dates from 1868 (replacing the medieval one), with many of its stained glass windows created between 1868 and 1876 by the renowned Tours workshop of Lucien-Léopold Lobin. This particular panel of Jeanne d'Arc is likely a later 19th/20th-century addition, reflecting the surge in her veneration after her canonization in 1920.

Manthelon is a peaceful village near Loches, perfect for a detour if you're exploring the Loire's lesser-known treasures—combine it with a visit to the Château de Loches or a walk along the Indre river.

These windows aren't just decoration; they're stories in light, reminding us of faith, history, and resilience in the heart of rural Touraine.

Have you spotted any surprising saints in Loire church windows?

Bon mercredi dans la Vallée de la Loire! 🇫🇷⛪

 

“Through every window, the Loire breathes — calm, patient, and quietly luminous.”

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Part of the “Windows of the Loire” Series

Each Wednesday, we share a glimpse of the Loire Valley through its windows — small frames of everyday beauty and quiet reflection.

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