Joan of Arcā€™s road to Rouen

Joan of Arc met her death in the French city of Rouen, where she was burned at the stake. But the city seems to love the young heroine these days!

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

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Joan of Arc in Rouen, Normandy, France

Her plans didnā€™t go up in flames. Not really. When Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, it only served to shine even more light on her mission.

She was to become not just a hero, but a martyr, eventually named as a patron saint to a whole country.

In some ways, her story is the story of the country ā€“ and so much of it happened here in Rouen.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

If you’re interested in having an expert show you the sights of Rouen, there are some good options for that. Have a look at one of these, to see if they fit your travel plans:

For a deeper understanding of the Joan of Arc legend, you can trace much of that through just a few particular sites.

Joan of Arc was tied to a stake and burnt to death on May 30, 1431, when she was just nineteen years old. It was only a year earlier that she had been captured by the English she had been fighting against, and only a year before that when she had begun her military campaign against them.

She was fighting on behalf of the son of the dead French King Charles VI, who had had his throne stolen from him.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

The English who were controlling parts of French territory wanted to make an example of her and her execution happened in the Old Market Square of Rouen and was also watched by church officials and a large crowd of spectators.

The Church of St Joan of Arc

Standing in the square today, the first thing you notice is the modern church that has been built in her honour. The Church of St Joan of Arc almost seems slightly out of place with its 1970s architecture, but its relevance gives it justification.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

The roof is supposed to represent the flames that killed her and the sweeping curves symbolise an overturned longship. Go inside and the highlight is clearly the enormous stained-glass windows which were originally from a nearby 16th century church that is now in ruins.

The Old Market Square

The exact site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake is marked by a sign these days but itā€™s a low-key monument for such a momentous event. In some ways, people donā€™t want to focus on her execution but on her life.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

Although she was killed by the English authorities with the support of the Catholic Church, their decision was overturned just a generation later. Joanā€™s mother got permission from the Pope in 1455 to have the guilty verdict that condemned her re-examined and a year later she was ā€˜rehabilitatedā€™.

Joan of Arc Historical Exhibition

Both the original trial and the later one took place at the Archbishopā€™s Palace in Rouen. It is just behind the cityā€™s main cathedral and just recently it has been turned into a new museum called the Joan of Arc Historical Exhibition.

Itā€™s a very clever way to learn more and get a deeper insight into the life of the heroine and of the time more generally. The exhibition is a multimedia experience that tells the story chronologically as you move between rooms and are greeted by videos of characters and dramatic re-enactments of events.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

Cathedral of Notre-Dame

It was only in 1909 that Joan was beatified and in 1920 that she was canonised and became a saint of the Catholic Church. It was a big turnaround for someone who had been excommunicated and executed for heresy, but such was the change in attitudes.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

Particularly since then, her image can be found in lots of locations throughout Rouen. However, one of the most significant places is inside the cityā€™s main church, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, where there is a chapel dedicated to her.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

In the centuries since the death of Joan of Arc, her story has become legendary. People all across the world have been attracted to the tale of a young peasant girl who would go on to win military battles.

They love the idea of her bravery as she stared down her opponents, even as they set her on fire. And there is also the mysticism about her claims she heard voices from God, instructing her to help a rightful king.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

People ā€“ particularly within France ā€“ have used her image and story to push their own narratives of nationalism and of the common people fighting unjust rulers.

Often this is just propaganda, not supported by the facts or any objective view of their campaigns. But such is the strength of Joan of Arc that it has worked countless times over the years.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, Normandy France

At least Rouen has a reasonable claim on the young heroine. The city is certainly making the most of their connection to her but it is justified by history.

Understanding the story of Joan of Arc and seeing the sights ā€“ itā€™s an excellent way to experience this part of France.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN ROUEN

I recommend staying in the city centre, where you’ll be surrounded by the beautiful heritage of Rouen.

BACKPACKER

Set in the cityā€™s old dyeworks factory,Ā Auberge de Jeunesse HI RouenĀ is an old-school hostel, offering an affordable option.

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BUDGET

With a great location to see the sights,Ā Comfort Hotel Rouen AlbaĀ has small but bright rooms – plus pets are allowed.

BOUTIQUE

In the historic centre,Ā HĆ“tel LittĆ©raire Gustave FlaubertĀ has literary-themed rooms honouring Gustave Flaubert.

LUXURY

Thought to be the inspiration for the hotel inĀ Madame Bovary,Ā HĆ“tel de BourghtherouldeĀ is one of Rouen’s finest accommodations.

16 thoughts on “Joan of Arcā€™s road to Rouen”

    • I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who gets excited by this kind of thing! šŸ™‚
      Yeah, it is a really beautiful city. I concentrated on Joan of Arc and feel like I’ll have to go back sometime and see a bit more of what the city can offer.

      Reply
    • You’ve opened up a big question here that has no certain answer – do we judge history based on our morals now or those of the time? This question is one of the reasons that we have so many different versions of the story of Joan of Arc.

      Reply
  1. Around 1966 while in the U S Navy, I visited the spot that was marked with a brass sidewalk plaque stating that this was the spot where she died. I cannot find any pictures showing this marker. I believe it no longer exists, possibly where the “Church of St. Joan of Arc” currently sits. Can you confirm?

    Reply
  2. I am watching the Notre Dam cathedral burn and thinking of Joan of Arc who is said to be an ancestor of my husband’s family….the D’Arcy family.

    Reply
  3. Having just made a Joan of Arc pilgrimage in Rouen, I want to say that your pictures are lovely and your commentary is on point! Thank you for a great article.

    Reply
  4. It is perhaps ironic that Rouen is also now home to one of the oldest buildings in Europe to be discovered in 1976, a yeshivah, or school of higher Jewish learning. It is from the 11th c., built around 1090.

    Reply
  5. Dear Michael Turtle, Hello and Greetings from Rajendra Limaye @ India. I am visiting Paris on 19 th September 2023 with my wife and daughter. I really wanted to visit Rouen for Joan the Arc Memorial but I don’t know the French language and the Route.Please tell me how to go to the Rouen from Charles de gaule Airport Paris CDG. It will be a Great help. Unfortunately I have only one day at my disposal.Thank you in Advance. Warm Regards.

    Reply
  6. Overall a good article, but part of it is misleadingly worded. The article begins by saying (correctly) that the English “wanted to make an example of her” but then claims later that she was killed “with the support of the Catholic Church”, which is misleading since the 15th century clergy were divided on the subject: all the tribunal members who took part in her trial are documented in English government records as pro-English collaborators, especially the judge, Pierre Cauchon, who had long served as an advisor for the English occupation government; whereas numerous other high-ranking clergy throughout Europe had given her public support in 1429 and 1430, including the Inquisitor for Southern France (who was among the clergy who approved her at Poitiers in April 1429), the Archbishop of Embrun, the famous theologian and saint Jehan Gerson, Inquisitor Jehan Dupuy, and many others outside of the few pro-English and Burgundian clergy who predictably opposed her for political reasons. This is why, as this article itself briefly mentions, the verdict was later overturned on appeal after the English were driven out of northern France and the case was investigated by the Chief Inquisitor Jehan Brehal, who declared Joan of Arc innocent on 7 July 1456.

    Reply
    • Thank you for the detailed explanation.Her statue is at end of my block here in nyc.Mark Twain’s book on her life was considered by himself to be his best and with 12 yrs of research, including much of it while being in France,to be his life’s work

      Reply

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