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Feast and Revival of Social Life in Orleans after 1429 In historiography, Orleans first appears as the town of the siege, as Joan of Arc’s town. It then becomes the symbol of resistance and of triumph in face of the enemy from Across the Channel. This image is true but also reductionist. The episode, however grandiose, in fact only lasted a very short time. At its peak in the 14th and 15th centuries, the capital of the Loire played a decisive political and military role as Paris’ true protective lock. The misfortunes the population underwent were equally opportunities for it to exploit advantageously and to inscribe long term remembrance of the city. The shock wave of the war transformed its relationship with time. From then on, the period of the feast (in the form of a commemorative procession, first held in 1430), however customary it had become, was charged with a new meaning, that of a profound civic union, which could finally express itself every year with new-found freedom, renewed pride and restored prosperity, the fruits of a fidelity to the King never belied during its period of misfortune. The festivities perpetuated the memory of these memorable events of 1429. But to what extent did they become integrated with ancient customs and traditions? That is the purpose of this study.