Medieval festival to be held in Western Loire

Thousands of tourists are expected to head to the small city of Orleans in the beautiful Western Loire region next month to join in the celebrations of the siege of 1428 to 1429.

The medieval event, which saw Joan of Arc lend a helping hand in liberating the city during the Hundred Years War sees entertainers come from miles around to help to give spectators a good time.

Held from April 29th to May 8th, the week of fun and festivities will see shows, parades and reconstructions of historic battles.

Entertainment at Orleans festival

As well as getting a taste of what food would have been like back in the 1400, there will be craftsmen creating medieval goods, as well as juggling, fencing, falconry, recitals, dancing and music.

Figures from the Middle Ages will also be on hand to entertain the crowds with jousting knights charging through the city on horseback, fair maidens selling goods and of course court jesters.

The major highlight of the event is a spectacular fireworks display which is held in remembrance of the saint.

Orleans' heroine remains a fake?

Meanwhile, historians have recently branded Orleans' heroine St Joan of Arc's remains a fake.

An international research team has claimed that what was said to be her rib bone actually belonged to that of an Egyptian mummy.

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431 in the Normandy town of Rouen, but it is thought that the remains were put together in the 19th century.

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