France Guide
The Loire
Accommodation
1 D'Arc 37 rue de la République 
02.38.53.10.94 
www.hoteldarc.fr This long-established Art Nouveau hotel has touches of grandeur, alas mainly faded and unkempt. The most attractive rooms have small balconies with window boxes, looking down onto the tramlines and pedestrianized street below. Price: €101-120
2 Auberge de Jeunesse d'Orléans-La Source Stade Omnisports, 7 av Beaumarchais 02.38.53.60.06 
auberge.crjs@orange.fr Clean, decent hostel, with friendly management and very modern rooms and facilities. The major downside is the suburban location, underneath a stand of Orléans' stadium: take tram A from the train station, get off at "Université l'indien" (30min), then walk 500m east down av du Président-Kennedy. Opening time: Closed at weekends; reception open Mon– Fri 8am–7pmPrice: €9 per night with HI membership, the purchase of which (€16) is obligatory before you can stay in a hostel
3 Le Brin de Zinc 62 rue Ste-Catherine 02.38.53.88.77 www.brindezinc.fr Half a dozen sparsely furnished but decent enough, and cheap, rooms in an old building above a popular and very central restaurant. The marble chimneys add a welcome note of class. Price: €41-50
4 Camping Gaston Marchand chemin de la Roche, St-Jean-de-la-Ruelle 02.38.88.39.39 The municipal campsite, and the closest to Orléans, 3km away out on the Blois road, beside the Loire; bus #26, stop "Petite Espère". Showers and a shop on site. Closed Sept– June.
5 Des Cèdres 17 rue Maréchal-Foch 02.38.62.22.92 www.hoteldescedres.com The best hotel in town; faint praise, admittedly, but this one is at least comfortable, clean and has some touches of personality, which make a stay here less of a burden. Price: €81-100
6 Charles Sanglier 8 rue Charles-Sanglier 02.38.53.38.50 hotelsanglier@orange.fr Very central, so tends to get booked up. The modern building is unprepossessing, and the rooms are small and a little shabby, but it's a friendly place, and comfortable enough. Price: €51-65
7 Jackotel 18 Cloître-St-Aignan 02.38.54.48.48 
02.38.77.17.59. Unrivalled location overlooking the church of St-Aignan across a shaded square, but the decor is anonymous 1980s-style. Price: €66-80
8 Marguerite 14 place du Vieux-Marché 02.38.53.74.32 hotel.marguerite@orange.fr. Central, friendly and well run. Large, immaculate rooms painted in cheery modern colours – a few unrenovated rooms are cheaper. Price: €66-80