Mayor LaToya Cantrell will visit France again to renew the Sister City Agreement between New Orleans and Orléans. She will also take part in the Orléans Loire Festival and the inaugural Paris New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Mayor Cantrell highlighted the historical connection between the two cities, dating back to New Orleans’ establishment in 1718. She said: “Our history and culture are greatly intertwined with the French, tracing back to our city’s founding in 1718. These deep-rooted ties are alive and well today, as evidenced by the display of our architectural heritage, cuisine, prevalence of the French language and even His Excellency Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Orleans in December 2022, which signified the first time a French President visited our city in nearly 50 years. As France continues to be a major exporting and trade partner today, it is vitally important that we continue to cultivate and strengthen our relationship and create new ones. I look forward to growing this beneficial collaboration and sharing exchanges on cultural, educational, economic and governmental affairs that will further showcase our standing as the world-class international city that we are.” 

During her September 19 to 21 visit, Mayor Cantrell will talk with Mayor Serge Grouard of Orléans and Mayors from Orléans’ sister cities, focusing on climate adaptation efforts, particularly water conservation.

From September 22 to 24, Mayor Cantrell will visit Paris at the invitation of Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and President of the International Association of Francophone Mayors. The Paris New Orleans Jazz Festival will be the central event, celebrating New Orleans’ music, food and cultural exchange.

Three bandleaders, James Andrews, George Brown, and Christie Jourdain of the Original Pinettes Brass Band, will be cultural ambassadors, leading Parisian musicians to perform iconic New Orleans classics.

The festival also plans to revitalize the Goutte d’Or neighborhood in collaboration with Paris 360 Studio, the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the Dillard University Ray Charles program.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum and Chef Serigne Mbaye of Dakar NOLA restaurant will present a culinary program to introduce Parisians to New Orleans cuisine.

During her stay in Paris, Mayor Cantrell also intends to meet with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of la Francophonie, to explore opportunities for promoting the use of the French language in New Orleans.

Mayor Cantrell will return to New Orleans on Sunday, September 24.