Parade Route

12th Annual Joan of Arc Parade

MONDAY January 6, 2020, 7 p.m. 

 

Parade start at the corner of Bienville and Front, north up Bienville, right to go east on Chartres, pause at the corner of Conti and Chartres for royalty toasts from the Historic New Orleans Collection Williams Foundation balcony, continue on Chartres, pause at St. Louis Cathedral for the blessing of the sword, continue on Chartres, right onto Ursuline, right to go west on Decatur, passing the Joan of Arc statue, end at Washington Artillery Park (sidewalk amphitheater across from Jackson Square) with the crowning and king cake ceremony.

Route map of the 11th annual Joan of Arc parade Monday January 6, 2020 at 7 p.m. Note change in starting point to Bienville and N. Front.

Joyeux Anniversaire, Jeanne d’Arc!
Celebrating St. Joan of Arc’s birthday and Twelfth Night, this annual  walking parade is a medieval-themed theatrical procession, inspired by Joan’s time in 1400s France.  Joan of Arc liberated the citizens of Orleans, France, from a British siege in her first victory in 1429—resulting in her moniker “The Maid of Orleans.” Our parade honors our own unofficial patron saint, The Maid of New Orleans: the beloved  golden French Quarter statue, a gift to the City of New Orleans from France in the 1950s, and our French history and heritage. It’s a short, family-friendly parade — quirky, whimsical and spiritual.  2020 also is the 100th anniversary of Joan becoming an official saint.

Bring king cake to share. The parade typically starts on time at 7 sharp, makes a few pauses for a bit of medieval pageantry, and ends around 8:30 p.m:

  • 6:45 p.m. City proclamation at the corner of Bienville and N. Front by Council Member Kristin Gisleson Palmer 
  • toasts from the Historic New Orleans Collection and Vincent Sciama, Consul General of France in New Orleans, from the Williams Research Center balcony at 400 Chartres
  • a sword blessing at Saint Louis Cathedral by The Very Reverend Father Philip Landry
  • a pause to sing Happy Birthday at the Joan of Arc statue
  • the crowning of the king and king cake ceremony at the end at Washington Artillery Park.  Bring your own king cake to eat your first king cake along with the king and Joan.

Parking and Restrooms

  • Suggested best parking: Premium Parking Lot 402 (map, reserve).
  • Public restrooms will be open in the Canal Place and Jax Brewery shopping malls before the parade.