Orleans: A Cozy Retreat from Paris
Greetings from Orleans! Orleans is a smaller city located about 130 km southwest of Paris. Compared to the bustling metropolis of Paris, Orleans is a more relaxed and intimate city, offering a charming and laid-back atmosphere on a smaller scale. We arrived here via (Remi TER) train from Paris and were immediately impressed by this charming city. Our Airbnb was the perfect home-away-from-home, complete with a cozy jacuzzi and situated near the banks of the Loire river and a 7-minute walk to the city center.
On the first day, we indulged in some shopping as it was sale season and picked up some stylish, cozy sweaters for B. Shopping here was a breeze because of fewer crowds and more attentive salespeople. Later that night, we dined at a New Zealand-themed pizza place called Well In Town and capped the night with a relaxing hot water bubble bath.
The next day was filled with adventure. We had lunch at a brasserie called Le Chatelet. And then, we explored the city's thrift bookstores, a 500-year-old bookstore, and paper shops, where I stumbled upon a serendipitous find - a book in English entitled the Book of Form & Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. B scored a book on transportation for only 3 EUR. Then, we visited La Maison de Jeanne d'Arc and le Musée Historique et Archéologique for a small fee of 6 euros (I managed to get my ticket for free on the account that I am an instructor in a public institution), gaining insights into the city's rich history. The same ticket would’ve also gotten us inside le Musée de Beaux-Arts and the MOBE - Muséum d'Orléans pour la Biodiversité et l'Environnement but we decided to skip it, for now, to hunt for the winter boots I’ve had my eye on for months now. At dusk, we went to the magestic Cathedral de Saint Croix which was a stunning sight and we couldn't resist taking a stroll through its halls.
We spent the evening relaxing with our favorite wine and rewatching movies. I managed to get some work done in between, but this weekend was all about taking it easy.
Orleans has been a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris, filled with shopping, dining, exploring, and relaxation. We’re going back home to Paris all recharged for a new work week ahead!
Budget breakdown for two (reservation at last minute):
Return train ticket for two: 84 EUR - 42 EUR per person
Two-bedroom and jacuzzi-equipped lodging for 3 days: 320,89 EUR - splurged on this though
10-trips city transportation ticket: 14,80 EUR - though we did everything by foot
Museum tickets per person: 6 EUR (entrance to four museums)
Two-day dining, meals, and groceries for two: 150 EUR - estimate, rounded off
Total: 569,69 EUR for two (289 EUR each)*
*Does not include allocation for individual shopping.