Orléans to Beaugency on La Loire à Vélo

The Holy Cross Cathedral 600 years to build it but in the end a real architectural gem! From the 13th-17th-18th and 19th centuries, Orléans Cathedral bears the imprint of the various royal successions and in particular the elegance of classicism which gives it its architectural and artistic originality. One of the 5 largest Gothic cathedrals in France (140m long, 53m wide with a spire culminating at 106m), Sainte-Croix was begun in 1287 and officially inaugurated on May 8, 1829. It has a long history: Joan of Arc prayed there, Henri IV launched its reconstruction in 1601, Louis XIV financed the transepts which pay homage to him by displaying his motto and his sun. The magnificently sculpted woodwork of the choir, the stained glass windows telling the story of Joan of Arc are among its 'treasures', as are the 11 richly endowed 13th century chapels which form its chevet. The Sainte-Croix cathedral is one of the rare churches, and perhaps the only one in the world, whose pillars do not carry a cross, which recalls the consecration of any church. Indeed tradition reports that Saint Euverte, bishop of Orleans in the 4th century, had a vision while celebrating the rite of consecration: he saw the hand of God blessing the cathedral. He then stopped the celebration by saying: "This cathedral has been blessed by the hand of God, it will not be blessed by the hand of man!". The bedside keystone recalls this story.

Hello everyone! And we continue on the Loire by bike towards Orléans on a mixture of road and trails, and the crossing of two bridges on the Loire, always impressive. We often follow this wild river with its islets and sandbanks. It is cool this morning but slightly less windy than yesterday on this section even if from time to time, it reminds you of its power. We pass through St-Mesmin 'capital of the Orléans cherry'🍒 I find their cherry trees puny 😉 Long safe arrival in Orléans. I visit, hang around a bit because I don't know this city an hour from Paris! Flags everywhere, it's the feast of Joan of Arc, apparently important here. I must have stayed too long, Komoot stopped the stage here. So the continuation on the J31bis 😉