On Tuesday, like in a Hollywood epic, the Loire River swarmed
with wooden boats filled with locals dressed in medieval
garb—re-enacting Joan of Arc's legendary entry into the city in
1429. It's an event that liberated Orleans from English
invaders, and sealed her place in the history books. It has
inspired, over the centuries, myriad novels, poems, rock songs,
operas, plays—and even a blockbuster feature film with Milla
Jovovich. "It's marvelous to see the children dressing up and
learning about this great French heroine who's known all over
the world," said Jacques Dubarre, dressed in a velvet mantel.
"Of course we're also having fun." In a testament to her
international appeal, some 600 contemporary artists—from as far
as the U.S., Japan and Russia—have made portraits of Joan of Arc
through the ages that will be projected on the City Hall this
Friday. Later in the week, a medieval market will be the scene
of period cuisine and music, while a sound and light show will
be projected on the city's Gothic cathed