Parade Route

15th Annual Joan of Arc Procession

FRIDAY January 6, 2023, 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 procession 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 procession 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.  

The procession typically starts on time at 7 sharp, makes a few pauses for a bit of medieval pageantry, and ends around 8:30 p.m:

  • A toast to the royalty and young Joan “Maid of Honor” in English and French from the balcony of the Historic New Orleans Collection
  • 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 Oscar Dunn Park (the sidewalk amphitheater next to Cafe Du Monde).  

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.