Fleur de Lis relief on church in New Orleans. The fleur de lis is an iris. It is best known for having been borne upon the royal arms of France. In addition, it referred to the French royal family, the French flag (before 1789), and the French nation or government. New Orleans was founded by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, who founded La Nouvelle Orleans in 1718 and named it in honor of the Regent of France, Philippe, Duc d'Orleans. The fleur de lis is seen just about everywhere you go in our city.