Orléans in France is the name sake for America’s New Orléans and also Ontario in Canada. It is located fairly centrally in France on the banks of the River Loire. Orléans has plenty to attract tourists and expats to it, most famous for the history of Joan of Arc, who liberated the city in the 15th century. As you’d expect, there are plenty of attractions celebrating Joan of Arc, including a recreation of her house, statues of the ‘Maid of Orléans’, and a festival celebrated in her name each year.
Orléans is also home to lots of museums, gothic churches, and other examples of impressive architecture. As the city was hit hard during the Second World War, you’ll also see examples of more modern buildings and houses in the area, although the history of the city was kept in mind during these developments to retain its traditional style.
Despite its proximity to Paris, apartments for rent in Orléans are available for much lower rental prices than the capital. There are plenty of nice areas to live in the city, and you’ll find lower priced apartments and rooms for rent in Orléans if you look further outside of the centre. The University of Orléans is located at the source of the River Loire, so there are lots of affordable rooms for rent in Orléans around this area.
Student Accommodation in Orléans
Apartments in Orléans by area
Orléans is largely divided into the area north of the River Loire, Rive Droite, and south of the river, Rive Gauche. Smaller districts or neighbourhoods are found in these larger areas, such as La Madeleine, Saint-Vincent, Bourgogne, and Saint-Marc. Apartments and houses to the south of the river tend to be more upmarket, both in price and the quality of accommodation, but Rive Droite still boasts plenty of comfortable options at slightly more affordable options.
Orléans’ Centre Ville puts you right at the heart of the city and all of its amenities and attractions, although you are likely to pay more for that luxury. On average, you can find a one-bedroom apartment in the centre of the city for around €550, with rent prices in less expensive areas of around €400 or more.
Best areas for Apartments in Orléans, France
Apartments in Centre Ville
Narrow, cobbled streets lined with historical buildings and half-timbered houses are the defining characteristics of Orléans’ Centre Ville, located immediately on the right bank of the River Loire. The area is completely pedestrianised, making it perfect for wandering around and exploring the Old Town of Orléans, whether you’re visiting or living there. There are great mixtures of architecture, with traditional, remodelled, and more modern buildings resulting from development and rebuilding over the years.
The Centre Ville is also home to many of the city’s main sights, including the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d'Orléans at the end of Rue Jeanne d’Arc. You’ll find various museums here celebrating the history and culture of Orléans, as well as a nice range of shops and eateries to try out. Centre Ville hosts a wide range of people, including businesspeople visiting or staying in the city with the need for easy access to local amenities and transport routes. There are a number of hotels and serviced apartments in the centre of Orléans to accommodate for this.
Apartments are also available to rent in Orléans’ Centre Ville, with various sizes to suit your needs. For single expats or couples, you can find a one-bedroom apartment here for an average price of €550, or families or groups living together can find three-bedroom apartments for around €1,000 per month. Alternatively, you can opt for a room to rent in a larger apartment to save on your monthly rent costs.
Apartments Rive Gauche
Rive Gauche, or the left bank, is the area to the south of the River Loire. It extends quite far to the south of the river and is split into two main districts – Saint Marceau immediately to the south of the river and La Source to the south of Saint Marceau. Overall, the Rive Gauche area contains higher quality houses and apartments to rent or buy at slightly higher prices than the districts to the north of the river.
The northerly district of Saint Marceau provides easy access to Centre Ville and Rive Droite via the Pont George V and Pont du Maréchal Joffre bridges over the River Loire. It is a more residential area than the city centre but with plenty of its own local amenities. There are schools, parks, and healthcare providers in the area, making it suitable for relocating your family to. There are also lots of workplaces here, providing job opportunities for locals and expats alike. Apartments for rent on or near the left bank of the River Loire are popular for their spectacular riverside views.
La Source is where you’ll find the source of the River Loire and the beautiful Parc Floral de la Source. It is also home to the University of Orléans, so this area has lots of student housing and rooms to rent for those studying in Orléans. La Source is actually the most populous area of Orléans, so accommodation here is in high demand.
Apartments Rive Droite
Rive Droite, or right bank, is located to the north of the River Loire and is a smaller part of the city compared to Rive Gauche. It is home to the city centre as well as other districts like Châteaudun-Bannier, Argonne, and Barrière-St-Marc. With a number of different districts and neighbourhoods located on this side of the river, the accommodation available in Rive Droite is widely varied. You can choose from bourgeois houses in Dunois, apartment blocks in La Madeleine, or new housing projects in the neighbourhoods of Barrière-St-Marc and La Fontaine. This means you’ve got plenty of choices to suit your budget and the environment you want to live in, whether that’s close to the bustling city centre or further out in peaceful suburbs. Generally speaking, housing is more affordable in these areas than Rive Gauche.
Saint Vincent is a popular district in Rive Droite for anyone who is living in Orléans but working in Paris, thanks to its proximity to Gare d’Orléans. For a younger vibe, whether you’re a student or a young expat relocating to Orléans, the neighbourhoods of Argonne, Nécotin, Belneuf are good choices. They’re close to downtown Orléans with quick access via the tram lines and tend to attract a younger, trendier crowd. Many districts and neighbourhoods are under development to create new homes and commercial spaces to cater to the city’s growing popularity.
Student accommodation Orléans
Orléans is home to various higher education institutes, each with affordable student accommodation located around it. The best known is the University of Orléans located in La Source. La Source is the most populated area of Orléans and is home to many students who choose to live close to this campus for convenience. Nearby is also the Institute of Technology, drawing more students to this area.
Other students choose to live in or near Centre Ville to be close to the action of the city centre. The most popular options for students moving to Orléans are to find a room to rent in a shared student house or a room in larger accommodation designed specifically for students, like halls and dormitories.
Orléans public transport
Orléans is a relatively small city, making getting around it nice and easy, even by foot. The city’s public transport system helps you get to and from the city centre if you live in the outlying suburbs thanks to the main tramline starting in Centre Ville. This provides a convenient route to and from Gare d'Orléans, making it easy to commute or travel out of the city.
Orléans bus system also provides routes out to nearby towns and cities further out around France and the rest of Europe if you’re looking to travel further. When using the city’s local transport, a single journey will cost you €1.45 or you can purchase a monthly pass for €34.