Joan of Arc Festival (Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc)

Where: Orleans, France

Facts in brief:

Conquered by Julius Caesar 52 BC; most important city in France after Paris 10th & 11th cen.; center of royal duchy established by Philip VI 1344; besieged by English & relieved by Joan of Arc 1429; Protestant center 16th cen.; occupied by Prussians 1870.

The French city of Orléans is 125 km south of Paris, on the River Loire. It's an old and historical city, but not very large: 250,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area. Orléans is today the smallest town in France with a tram line.

Recommended Cafe:

Havana CaféHavana Café 28, Place Châtelet 45000 Orléans, France
+33 2 38 52 16 00

The Festival

Joan of Arc Festival (Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc); When - Apr - May 2008 (annual) and it's " Free."

Joan of Arc.

Her " Historic connection " to Orleans, France .

Jeanne d' Arc, by Eugene Thirion (1876). Late 19th century images such as this often had political undertones because of French territorial cessions to Germany in 1871. (Chautou, Church of Notre Dame).

She defied the cautious strategy that had characterized French leadership. During the five months of siege before her arrival, the defenders of Orléans had attempted only one aggressive move and that had ended in disaster. On 4 May the French attacked and captured the outlying fortress of Saint Loup, which she followed on 5 May with a march to a second fortress called Saint Jean le Blanc. Finding it deserted, this became a bloodless victory. The next day she opposed Jean d'Orleans at a war council where she demanded another assault on the enemy. D'Orleans ordered the city gates locked to prevent another battle, but she summoned the townsmen and common soldiers and forced the mayor to unlock a gate. With the aid of only one captain she rode out and captured the fortress of Saint Augustins. That evening she learned she had been excluded from a war council where the leaders had decided to wait for reinforcements before acting again. Disregarding this decision, she insisted on assaulting the main English stronghold called "les Tourelles" on 7 May. Contemporaries acknowledged her as the heroine of the engagement after she sustained an arrow wound to her neck but returned wounded to lead the final charge. ( source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

This year 2008 The festival celebrates its 579th edition - a claim not many events can make! Visitors can enjoy spit-roast and mead in the atmospheric medieval market, see craftsmen at work and soak up the sights, smells and flavours of the Middle Ages. Attractions include battle reenactments, juggling, fencing, falconry, recitals, dancing and music.

Knights in armour charge through the city on horseback, fair maidens sell their wares and court jesters have the crowds in stitches. Particularly dramatic are the cathedral illuminations and a huge firework display that pays homage to the patron saint.

There are losts of parade during his time. Well if you had a teenager who was a woman and she liberated your community from the English, and right in the Middle of the 100 Years War you too would be advertising for more tourism thought such promotions.

Please add your comments if have experienced the festival itself. Take on the role of a reporter.