597 years of history: why Orléans celebrates Joan on May 8
On May 8, 1429, Joan of Arc entered Orléans, besieged for seven months. In ten days, she liberated the city. From 1430, the commune decided to celebrate every May 8. 597 consecutive years in 2026 — practically no civic celebration in France can claim such continuity. Inscribed in 2018 on France's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage. A visceral Orleans pride.
The ride of Joan of Arc: Clémence Miot embodies Joan in 2026
Each year, a young Orleans girl aged 16 to 18 is chosen. The candidate must know how to ride a horse, speak in public. For 2026, Clémence Miot, student at Lycée Pothier, dons the armor. Great ride of May 8 morning: departure from Place du Châtelet, 3 km route, arrival at Sainte-Croix Cathedral for the pontifical mass. The crowd is dense, silence falls as she passes, a moment of authentic emotion.
The medieval market at Campo Santo
From April 30 to May 8, the Campo Santo cloister hosts a medieval market of 80 exhibitors: iron, leather, wood artisans, calligraphers, costumers, herbalists. Costumed animations, medieval music, sword combat demonstrations, falconry. Free and probably the festival's most family-accessible moment. The setting — Gothic cloister overlooked by the cathedral — is sublime.
Sound and light show on the cathedral
A grand video mapping projected on the northern façade of Sainte-Croix Cathedral, telling Joan's epic in 30 minutes. Three performances per evening on May 5, 6, 7 and 8 around 10 PM. Free, open access on Place Sainte-Croix, but arrive 45 minutes early. The event most appreciated by Parisians discovering the festival.
Sword presentation ceremony April 29
Official opening: April 29 at 6 PM, Place du Martroi, Joan's sword (ceremonial replica) is handed to the young girl. Civil and religious authorities present. Speeches, Marian hymn, flag-raising. Ceremony lasts 1h. Less spectacular than a video mapping but with a republican solemnity rare in today's France.
Attending from Meung-sur-Loire (20 min by train)
20 minutes by TER Orléans-Tours from Meung station. Round trip around €8. Trains every hour. To fully experience May 8: arrival in Orléans 9 AM, coffee in front of the cathedral, ride at 10 AM, mass at 11 AM, medieval market afternoon, sound and light show at 10 PM, back to Meung by midnight.
Where to park, where to eat, how to avoid crowds
If driving: Auchan Hall parking, or Gare d'Orléans parking, then tram line A. To eat: avoid rue Sainte-Catherine (too touristy), go to rue des Hôtelleries or Place du Châtelet (€25 menu bistros). To avoid May 8 crowd: come May 5, 6 or 7. Less prestigious but the animations are there.
The Joan of Arc Festival is one of the last great moments of civic fervor in France. From La Maison du Château, 20 minutes by train from Orléans.