When approaching the French Market near popular Jackson Square,
you'll notice this striking statue of Joan of Arc (1412-1431) on
her prancing steed. It was a gift from the people of France to
the citizens of New Orleans. I read that this piece is an exact
duplicate of the 1880 Emmanuel Fremiet Equestrian Statue at the
Place des Pyramides in Paris. It was given to New Orleans in
1958 by Robert Whyte of World House in New York. The cost of
erecting it was going to cost $38,000 so it had to be placed in
storage until the funds materialised. Fortuitously, Charles de
Gaulle paid a visit to New Orleans and greatly admired the
statue. He returned to France, interested some of his citizens
in the cause and together with the residents of New Orleans
raised enough money to place Joan on her 17 foot pedestal for
one and all to appreciate! It sits on Decatur street, next to
the Cafe du Monde. The piece was gilded in 1985. For more info.
go to: www.stjoan-center.com/topics/jcraven.html I noticed that
alot of people had ai