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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Monday’s Château, Forteresse Royale de Chinon.

Seen from across the Vienne, the Forteresse Royale de Chinon stretches along its rocky ridge above the old town. Its long line of walls and towers makes clear why this was one of the great strategic strongholds of medieval France.

Chinon is closely associated with the meeting between Joan of Arc and Charles VII in 1429. She came here to persuade the future king to support her campaign to relieve Orléans, an encounter that helped change the course of the Hundred Years' War.

Bon lundi dans la vallée de la Loire !

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists, and of the dream of France itself.”

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Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley's legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region's story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley

Browse the full series

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View of the Vienne...

From the heights of the Fortress of Chinon, the mighty Vienne river stretches westwards through a broad, wooded valley, with the hillside homes of Chinon below.

The fortress occupies a long rocky spur above the river and was once a key royal stronghold. It was here, in 1429, that Joan of Arc met the future Charles VII before setting out to help change the course of the Hundred Years’ War.

“In Touraine, even the silence tells a story.”

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Part of the “Taken in Touraine” Series

Every Thursday, we pause somewhere in Touraine — a village, a vineyard, or a quiet riverside — to capture the spirit of this timeless Loire region.

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© Experience Loire — Taken in Tou raine · Back to Home 

Monday's chateau - Royal Lodgings from a different angle.

Royal Lodgings at Loches.

Bon lundi.

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists and of the dream of France itself.”

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Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley's legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region's story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley

Browse the full series

 © Experience Loire — Châteaux of the Loire · ,

Back to Home

Monday's chateau - the Royal Lodgings at Loches.

One of the most fascinating stories tied to this château is that of Agnès Sorel, the official mistress of Charles VII. She was given the Royal Lodgings as her residence and lived here in great luxury. Known for her beauty and intelligence, she even dared to wear dresses that revealed her shoulders, considered very bold for the time! Tragically, she died young (possibly from mercury poisoning). Her tomb can still be seen nearby in the Church of Saint-Ours.

Another powerful moment: In June 1429, fresh from her victory at Orléans, Joan of Arc met Charles VII in the Great Hall of these Lodgings and persuaded the hesitant king to travel to Reims to be crowned, a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of romance,intrigue and of the dream of France itself.”

Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley’s legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region’s story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley
Browse the full series

© Experience Loire — Châteaux of the Loire · Back to Home

Bon week-end – Chinon.

The medieval fortress of Chinon rises above the rooftops of the old town. This imposing castle, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Vienne river, was a favourite residence of the Plantagenet kings and played a key role in French history.

It was here in 1429 that Joan of Arc met the future Charles VII and convinced him to claim the French throne. The castle later served as a prison and fell into ruin before being restored. Today its towers and walls dominate the skyline of Chinon, one of the most striking towns in the Val de Loire.

Wishing everyone a good weekend from the heart of the Loire Valley.

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.

Discover more from the Loire

© Experience Loire — Have a good weekend from the Loire · Back to Home

'Joan' in the little village of Chaumussay in Southern Touraine.

 

Wednesday for windows...Joan

 

One of our favourite windows of Joan in the Eglise Saint Martin & Saint Avertin.

Joan in Touraine...

The statue of Joan of Arc near the church of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois in the village of the same name in Touraine, where she is said to have found her sword behind the altar.

Joan at Beaugency

 

Joan of Arc statue at Place Saint-Firmin in Beaugency

Just Joan...

You can see more of my images of Joan here

Something for the weekend - Re-enactment of Joan's entry into Chinon

On Sunday March 4th the ‘Jeanne en Lumière’ association in Chinon organizes an annual re-enactment of the arrival of Joan of Arc on March 6, 1429 in the town to meet Charles VII.

A little more info here

Loire Valley church for Sunday Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois

The church of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois in the village of the same name in Touraine is where Joan of Arc is purportedly to have found her sword...you can read more here.

Joan(s) at Chateau du Rivau

Yesterdays Joan(s) can be found in one of our favourite Loire Valley chateaux, Chateau du Rivau where there is a room dedicated to her.

You can see more on what's in the room on a previous post here on our personal blog,

Joan of Arc in the Loire Valley...

Yesterday's statue of Joan can be found overlooking the river Loire from the 'Bishop's Garden' by the town hall in Blois. The impressive statue is by American  Anna Hyatt Huntinton and there are versions in her native New York,San Francisco and Gloucester (?)

Wednesday...where's Joan?

Where would you find this impressive Joan of Arc statue?

Answer here tomorrow