Experience in Orleans, France by Paloma, born in Orleans

What is it like to live in Orleans? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I would recommend to live in Orleans because it's calm (but still not dead), you can easily make friends and th transport's pretty good (except that after midnight it's hard to find a bus or a tram or even a cab...oh and there's almost no cabs in Orleans).


It's a very good place to grow up and study.


The city is quite pleasing because in the center it's a bit old so you can enjoy old architecture but the city herself is not old at all, it's becoming more and more modern.

What is the student lifestyle like in Orleans?

There isn't much places to enjoy for students.

There's the Bourgogne Street where you can have a drink on the week-end (stating from the thursday) but on summer and on hot spring days you can also meet your friends by the river (the Loire). If you like clubbing, there's only 1 night club in the center of Orléans (the Georges V) which is good if you like techno music and there's also the Nova but it's a bit away from the center (30 mins walking, 10/15 mins by tram depending on where you get in) and it's good if you like commercial french and american music. Sometimes in the Nova club there're student parties organized by student associations and on those parties you can hear lots of music: pop, rap, old french music (Les connemaras), new french music (Aya Nakamura) etc...


But that's it. Otherwise, Orleans is a very good place to study because it's very calm.

How much does it cost to live in Orleans?

I've lived at my parents' so far so I don't really know the estate cost but for example my mom lives in a residency in a 2 rooms flat with big living room, balcony, kitchen, bathroom etc for 600 euros per month.
I don't know how much it would be for a studio.


For the food, you can easily eat for a month for 100 euros. I recommend on buying food in Auchan or Lidl because the other stores are a bit too expensive (especially carrefour).


For the transport (which you would need if you live in the center and need to go to the university), you can have a month pass for less than 19 euros with the student offer.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Orleans? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not very difficult for foreign students coming on an Erasmus tu find an accommodation. Usually, they advice you to rent a room or a flat in the student residencies next to the university. And if you live in those residencies, you don't need to have a transport month pass because you can go walking to the uni.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

You can find lots of types of food in Orleans. There's obviously french food everywhere with big cheese areas but honestly you can find from anywhere.

For example, in the Carmes street, you can find African food and buy a kebab for 5 euros (with fries and drink), in the Bourgogne street as well you can eat french, chinese, japanese, korean, italian, indian and sirian food (and even hot dogs).


My favourite dishes are from asia so it wouldn't be a good example but for the french food, I love snails (I know some of you will be like uuugh) and cheese of course. By the way you can buy (frozen) snails in big stores like Auchan or Lidl. I also advice you to try the croissants from the Nadal bakery (near Place du Cheval Rouge) and to taste a vegan hot chocolate (with vegan chantilly) at the Tea Saloon called "Un piano dans la théière".


Talking about tea saloons, there're lots of tea saloons in the center and every each is different and really good. I can recommend :

- Loup'ange à l'instant (Jeanne d'Arc street) where you can buy EVRYTHING in there from the cup of tea you're drinking in to the lamp next to you.

- Un piano dans la théière (Sainte Catherine street) where you can enjoy vegan meals and drinks


- Le Marco Polo

What places would you recommend visiting in Orleans?

I recommend visiting :

- The Groslot Mansion -- it's in the center, it's FREE (every single day of the year) and you can visit it everyday of the year (try not to come on Saturdays though because there are weddings there).

- The cathedral

- The Museum of Art (Musée des Beaux-Arts) -- Very beautiful art in there, especially if you like art from the 18th century to the 21st.

- The floral park -- great flowers and trees to see. There're also some animals like alpacas, flamingos, pigs. What I like the most there is the Butterflies' Greenhouse where you can see lots of butterflies flying around you. Be careful though it's near the university so you have to take the tram to go there (20/25 mins from the center).

I also recommend to have a walk by the river, it's very pleasant to stress down.

Is it good to eat out in Orleans? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

My favourite spots are all located in the Bourgogne Street.

If you want to eat italian food, the Volpone Pizzeria is the best. Make sure to arrive around 7pm unless you won't be able to eat there because it's very good so there's lots of people going there especially on week-ends. Oh and you can eat snails as an entrée there.


If you want korean food, go to the "Kimme" restaurant. It's the best but you can also go to "Kogi" which is also very good.

If you want indian food I recommend The Rajistan. The people working there are very nice and their desserts are delicious.


If you want to eat arabic food like a couscous or a tajine, go to "L'orientale" restaurant (Jean Jaurès boulevard), it's the best. The inside of it is like being in orient, the food is delicious and the portions are quite big for a reasonable price. Sometimes there's a lady doing a little dance show around people while they're eating. Very good.

The list would be too long but trust me there're very good restaurants in Orleans.

Is the nightlife good in Orleans? Where is good to go?

It's good to go in Bourgogne Street because it's the only place where there's a nightlife. On week-ends. But in summer you can enjoy the nightlife by the river, there're lots of young people there.

What advice would you give future students heading to Orleans?

Choose well your accommodation, especially on the location.

Enjoy the food haha.

People are generally nice so don't stress out, we'll welcome you well.