The siege of Orléans ended nine days after Joan of Arc arrived at the city. Joan entered Orléans on 29 April 1429, and the French captured the English fort of Les Tourelles on 7 May, effectively breaking the siege.
The siege had begun in October 1428 and had placed Orléans under severe pressure. Joan’s arrival energized the French defenders and became a turning point in the campaign. French forces attacked a series of English-held positions around the city, culminating in the assault on Les Tourelles.
The exact military role of Joan is debated in detail, because commanders and soldiers also contributed to the victory. Nevertheless, contemporary and later accounts agree that her presence had major symbolic and motivational importance. The lifting of the siege helped make possible Charles VII’s progress to Reims for his coronation later that summer.