As tradition dictates, Joan of Arc, represented this year by Maïlys Boët, began her May 1 ride through the conurbation of Orléans. Starting from Place du Martroi, she crossed the Loire without incident aboard a toue, shortly after noon.
Everything is set like clockwork. On the Place du Martroi, Wednesday morning, May 1st, members of the Sainte-Jeanne association yesterday, today and tomorrow, municipal music, scouts, elected officials, Catholics, enthusiasts and the simply curious are gathered . Only one guest is missing, the sun. But it doesn’t matter: at 10 a.m. sharp, Joan of Arc, represented by a radiant Maïlys Boët, appears on the Place du Martroi. Comfortable on her mount – the young girl is a seasoned rider – she greets her audience before the trumpets announce the start of the ceremony.
“We are here to thank Joan of Arc. We are here to remember, and we are here to celebrate our heroine (…). I have an image in front of me. It is magnificent! The statue of Joan of Arc Arc, inaugurated in 1855. And in front of this statue, grandiose, strong, I have Maïlys, below This double image is powerful. History and the present combined to become one. ‘Arc is always present with us and, perhaps, she thanks us for this historic, exceptional, unique loyalty. It is only in Orléans that we do this.’
Serge Grouard (mayor of Orléans)
In front of the mayor of Orléans, on the Place du Martroi, the statue of Joan of Arc inaugurated in 1855 and Maïlys Boët, in armor and on her horse. © Pascal PROUST
The ride of the 595th Johannine festivals of Orléans can begin. Annie, from Belfort, is attending the event for the first time. “My daughter lives here, so I came specially this week to attend the Johannine Festivals. It’s very moving to relive this period. It’s really worth it, with this young girl and all the historical costumes…”, comments -she.
Joan of Arc entered the city of Orléans, and heaven was with her
This morning, many spectators are looking at the threatening sky and wondering. Will they follow the procession to Saint-Loup and risk getting wet? Surrounded by her escort, Jeanne-Maïlys hardly cares: protected by her armor, she smiles and greets politely, catching the eye of those who have come to admire her. “She said hello to me!”, exclaims a young woman, over the moon.
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Névine came from Paris. She attends the Holidays with her eldest son, Orléanais. Two of her grandchildren, aged 10 and 12, are scouts and march alongside Jeanne:
“We are practicing Catholics and I am very happy that my grandchildren can experience these moments. It is very important to be able to participate in these commemorations in these difficult times.”
The horses advance at a walking pace on rue Jeanne d’Arc, pause in front of the cathedral, then another in front of the prefecture, before passing through the Porte Bourgogne and heading towards the Loire. Applause bursts out, as well as a few “Long live Jeanne!”. Many spectators came with their families. A little boy exclaims: “Mom, horses are beautiful, but they stink!” The scouts sing refrains that are not necessarily very Catholic: “She likes to laugh, she likes to drink”, “Santiano”, “Darla dirladada” (version The Bronzed)…
Along the Loire, runners glance amusedly at the procession, while the orchestra begins the theme of the famous nursery rhyme Passing through Lorraine. A walker speaks to his dog: “Look, it’s Joan of Arc!” At the Green Cabinet, a very elderly woman, supported by those close to her, greets Jeanne and her escort from her window. The emotion is palpable. Young Maïlys smiles again and again.
Arriving in Saint-Loup with timing worthy of a Swiss clock, Jeanne is greeted by the mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Braye.
“This commitment that she wants to be communicative is a great lesson. Will, fight against injustice, resistance, were on her agenda. An agenda that is still relevant for everyone, who has something to give to the society in which we live. We are citizens of the Republic, in it we have the possibility to act, to engage (…) Let us know, as Joan of Arc did, to be outraged.
Vanessa Slimani (Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Braye)
It’s 12:15 p.m. at the tip of Saint-Loup. As planned, Jeanne-Maïlys leaves her mount and manages, despite her armor and the slippery cobblestones, to board the toue which is waiting for her to take her to the other side of the Loire. “It’s okay, everything is fine,” she reassures, still radiant. The sun is not there, but Jeanne 2024 is definitely sunny.
Maïlys Boët, Joan of Arc 2024, always smiling when boarding. © Pascal PROUST
Joan of Arc Festival 2024 in Orléans: the program
Maude Milekovic
Photos Pascal Proust
