The story of this place
By 1428 the English had besieged Orléans, the last major stronghold barring their advance to the south of France in the Hundred Years' War. In April 1429 a teenage peasant girl, Joan of Arc, arrived claiming divine command to save France. Inspiring the demoralised garrison, she led aggressive assaults and, on 8 May 1429, the English abandoned the siege after just nine days of her presence—a turning point that revived French fortunes and led directly to the coronation of Charles VII. Ever since, Orléans has honoured 'the Maid' each 8 May with the Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc, among Europe's oldest continuous civic festivals, held for nearly six centuries.