After our visit to the cathedral,we strolled down to nearby Rue Pothier, where we were led to the 'Salle des Thèses' all that remains of Orléans first university. It is one of the oldest (15th century) surviving Gothic civil monuments from the Middle Ages in the whole of France.It was frequented by the Reformer John Calvin and the humanists Erasmus and Rabelais.
At the bottom of the street,on Rue de Bourgogne, you will find the 'Hôtel de préfecture du Loiret' the administrative headquarters for both the Loiret department and the Centre-Val-de-Loire region. The building was formerly part of Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle Abbey complex.
These streets capture the city’s layered past, from Roman origins to lively present-day charm. Rue de Bourgogne, Rue de la Poterne, and Rue de la Charpenterie form a compact network of narrow lanes, half-timbered façades, and everyday energy that still feels intimately tied to the Loire.Rue de Bourgogne is a very long street that runs east to west through Orléans.
This street was the medieval route toward Burgundy and is the way Joan of Arc entered the city in 1429. You pass the narrow Rue du Bœuf Sainte-Croix with a look back at the cathedral before arriving at Rue de la Poterne.
This street offers a quieter, more intimate scale. A classic medieval side street, it preserves fine examples of timber-framed architecture, including a late-14th-century house at No. 25 and others (such as Nos. 16 and 28) displaying distinctive patterns, diamond lattices and grid work. Its name evokes the old Port de la Poterne, once a busy riverside landing for goods arriving by boat. The street sits at the meeting point of commercial activity to the north and more artisan-oriented zones toward the river.
Rue de la Charpenterie continues the story of craft and continuity. Named for the carpenters and joiners and masons who once lived and worked here. Notable half-timbered façades survive, among them the colorful 15th-century examples around Nos. 64–66 and finer stone details elsewhere.
The house at number 32 dates from 1501. The oak timber-framed facade consists of St. Andrew's cross panels and a brick infill. The ground floor was modified in the 18th century and formerly housed a shop. You can see Pauline admiring it in the photo above,while listening to the audio presentation.
Together these streets form the living core of Orléans’ old quarter. Their narrow proportions, surviving timber frames and mix of daily commerce and quiet corners make them ideal for slow exploration on foot. We walked them in the guides sequence moving easily between Roman alignment, medieval craftsmanship and the contemporary feel of a city still shaped by its river, where we were heading to next.
