If you're from Louisiana, you see the fleur-de-lis everywhere: on flags, buildings and the New Orleans Saints helmet. But where does it come from?
The short answer is France. The longer answer starts with a king, an explorer and a river.
How did Louisiana get its name?
In 1682, the explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the Mississippi basin for France. He named it "Louisiane" in honor of King Louis XIV.
So the name of the state is a royal compliment, carried across an ocean.
Who named New Orleans?
New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. He named the city after the Duc d'Orléans, who was regent of France at the time.
In other words, two of Louisiana's best-known names point straight back to the French court.
What does the fleur-de-lis mean?
The fleur-de-lis is a stylized flower, usually described as a lily or an iris. For centuries it was tied to the French monarchy, appearing on royal coats of arms, robes and buildings.
Where did it come from? Nobody knows for sure. One legend links it to King Clovis, but its exact origin is uncertain.
That's part of its charm. Like many old symbols, it's more about what it came to mean than where it began.
Look closely and you'll notice the shape changes a little from place to place. Sometimes it's tall and slim, sometimes wide and rounded, painted, carved or worked in metal. The idea stays the same: a simple three-petalled flower that everyone in the kingdom would recognise.
How did it become Louisiana's symbol?
The flower travelled with the French to North America and stayed. In 2008, Louisiana made the fleur-de-lis an official state symbol.
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it took on a new meaning. It became a rallying emblem for the region, a sign of pride and recovery.
The New Orleans Saints use the fleur-de-lis as their logo. Quarterback Drew Brees described it as a symbol of New Orleans and its French past. The Saints recently played in France itself; read about the first NFL game at Stade de France.
Where can you spot fleurs-de-lis in Paris?
Once you know the shape, Paris becomes a scavenger hunt. A few of the best places to look:
- Sainte-Chapelle, built by King Louis IX, where fleur-de-lis motifs appear in the decoration.
- The Louvre, a former royal palace before it became a museum.
- Versailles, where royal gates and decoration carry the royal emblem.
You don't need to be a history expert to enjoy this. Just keep the shape in mind as you walk, and you'll be surprised how often it appears.
Sainte-Chapelle is the easiest place to start. Look past the famous windows for a moment, and check the painted walls and details around you.
At the Louvre, remember you're walking through a palace. The building itself is part of the story, not just the art on its walls.
At Versailles, the royal symbols are hard to miss. It's a good place to remember the royal world Louisiana's name came from.
Opening hours and visiting rules change, so check the official website of each site before you go.
A small flower with a long journey
The fleur-de-lis on a football helmet in New Orleans and the one on a royal chapel in Paris are the same idea, separated by centuries and an ocean.
If you'd like to see it with someone who can point out the details, our Sainte-Chapelle tour is a good place to begin.
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Curious about more French-American history? Read a short history of Paris, or explore our Notre-Dame tour.