Scroll down to watch a slide show of sites related to Joan of Arc's story as well as other information from
The Sword of the Maiden.
The Sword of the Maiden.
Following in Joan’s Footsteps
For anyone interested in actually following the path of Joan of Arc in France, I suggest several must-see sites. Joan’s original home in Domrémy and the small church next to her home are still standing and can both be visited. There are still vestiges of the walled entrances to the city of Vaucouleurs, including the gate through which she embarked with her small group on the journey to Chinon. There is also a small museum in Vaucouleurs with a plethora of artistic renderings of the Maiden of Lorraine, which is worth the minimal entrance fee.
Although it is not the original church that existed during Joan of Arc’s era, a church dedicated to Sainte-Catherine still exists in the tiny town of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois and is open to the public. There you will see the replica of Joan of Arc’s sword, which I used as the basis for the description of the sword in this novel. You can also see a replica of Joan’s banner, a statue of her, a plaque noting the spot where Joan’s sword is purported to have been found in the original church, and other Joan memorabilia.
The chateau fortress of Chinon is one of my favorite locations and appears on the cover of The Sword of the Maiden. Although the chateau itself is in ruins, the French government has done a fabulous job of partial restoration, and there is always an interesting and changing exhibit on its grounds that is particularly well-adapted for families with children. Plan on at least an hour or two to visit the chateau ruins and also some time to walk through Chinon’s charming narrow streets that sit at the foot of the fortress. Also, be sure to cross the bridge over the Vienne River to fully appreciate the view that appears on the cover.
Although the famous tourelles, or bridge towers, on the bridge crossing the river into Orléans no longer exist, an impressive statue of Joan sits in the town square. You may also visit the half-timbered home of Jacques Boucher, the general treasurer of the Duke of Orleans, with whom Joan lodged from April 29 to May 9, 1429. It now houses a multi-media museum with a film retracing her life. The lifting of the siege of Orléans indeed gave Joan the name of the Maid of Orléans and forever changed the course of her life and the destiny of France.
An absolute must-see, for several reasons, is the magnificent cathedral of Reims, where you can not only appreciate firsthand one of the incredible masterpieces of French Gothic architecture, but one of France’s most important historical sites, as well. This is where the coronations of countless kings of France, including Charles VII, took place. Don’t miss the large copy of Jehanne’s signature inside the cathedral, and the impressive statue of her on her mount to the right of the main entrance. Be sure to visit the Palace of Tau, an outstanding museum next to the cathedral, which has a fine display of medieval art and relics, including the Sainte Ampoule, or holy flask, the successor of the ancient one containing the oil with which French kings were anointed, which was broken during the French Revolution. A fragment of the original flask is said to be contained in the present Ampoule.
On a more somber note, a stop in Rouen, where Joan’s short life ended, is requisite. First visit the Tour Jeanne d’Arc, which is the only remaining portion of the chateau where Joan of Arc was brought to trial in 1431. She was taken to the dungeon of this chateau to stand before the judges who accused her of heresy (principally because she claimed she had heard the voices of heavenly messengers and because she wore men’s clothing), and the tower now serves as a museum in her honor. Then, move on to the Historial Jeanne d’Arc, which is a brand new specialty museum dedicated to the trials of Joan of Arc housed in a beautiful old palace. You move from room to room for uniquely-staged audio-visual presentations that really bring Joan’s story to life. Headphones to listen in English are available at no extra cost. It is well worth the stop. Finally, visit the town square (Place du Vieux Marché) where Joan was burned at the stake. It is adjacent to an ultra-modern church dedicated to her memory. The church has beautiful stained-glass windows and interesting architecture, but I can’t help but feel that its style is too much of a contrast to Joan’s medieval existence.
And of course, as a tourist in Rouen, you wouldn’t want to miss the Cathedral of Notre Dame, made famous by Claude Monet’s series of paintings, or the famous Clock Tower in Old Towne.
This is certainly not an exclusive list of places connected to Joan of Arc’s history. Indeed, churches and town squares throughout France are filled with paintings and statues of the Maid of Lorraine, including the village church at Mont Saint Michel. Her story continues to permeate French culture and fascinate every French school child.
Although it is not the original church that existed during Joan of Arc’s era, a church dedicated to Sainte-Catherine still exists in the tiny town of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois and is open to the public. There you will see the replica of Joan of Arc’s sword, which I used as the basis for the description of the sword in this novel. You can also see a replica of Joan’s banner, a statue of her, a plaque noting the spot where Joan’s sword is purported to have been found in the original church, and other Joan memorabilia.
The chateau fortress of Chinon is one of my favorite locations and appears on the cover of The Sword of the Maiden. Although the chateau itself is in ruins, the French government has done a fabulous job of partial restoration, and there is always an interesting and changing exhibit on its grounds that is particularly well-adapted for families with children. Plan on at least an hour or two to visit the chateau ruins and also some time to walk through Chinon’s charming narrow streets that sit at the foot of the fortress. Also, be sure to cross the bridge over the Vienne River to fully appreciate the view that appears on the cover.
Although the famous tourelles, or bridge towers, on the bridge crossing the river into Orléans no longer exist, an impressive statue of Joan sits in the town square. You may also visit the half-timbered home of Jacques Boucher, the general treasurer of the Duke of Orleans, with whom Joan lodged from April 29 to May 9, 1429. It now houses a multi-media museum with a film retracing her life. The lifting of the siege of Orléans indeed gave Joan the name of the Maid of Orléans and forever changed the course of her life and the destiny of France.
An absolute must-see, for several reasons, is the magnificent cathedral of Reims, where you can not only appreciate firsthand one of the incredible masterpieces of French Gothic architecture, but one of France’s most important historical sites, as well. This is where the coronations of countless kings of France, including Charles VII, took place. Don’t miss the large copy of Jehanne’s signature inside the cathedral, and the impressive statue of her on her mount to the right of the main entrance. Be sure to visit the Palace of Tau, an outstanding museum next to the cathedral, which has a fine display of medieval art and relics, including the Sainte Ampoule, or holy flask, the successor of the ancient one containing the oil with which French kings were anointed, which was broken during the French Revolution. A fragment of the original flask is said to be contained in the present Ampoule.
On a more somber note, a stop in Rouen, where Joan’s short life ended, is requisite. First visit the Tour Jeanne d’Arc, which is the only remaining portion of the chateau where Joan of Arc was brought to trial in 1431. She was taken to the dungeon of this chateau to stand before the judges who accused her of heresy (principally because she claimed she had heard the voices of heavenly messengers and because she wore men’s clothing), and the tower now serves as a museum in her honor. Then, move on to the Historial Jeanne d’Arc, which is a brand new specialty museum dedicated to the trials of Joan of Arc housed in a beautiful old palace. You move from room to room for uniquely-staged audio-visual presentations that really bring Joan’s story to life. Headphones to listen in English are available at no extra cost. It is well worth the stop. Finally, visit the town square (Place du Vieux Marché) where Joan was burned at the stake. It is adjacent to an ultra-modern church dedicated to her memory. The church has beautiful stained-glass windows and interesting architecture, but I can’t help but feel that its style is too much of a contrast to Joan’s medieval existence.
And of course, as a tourist in Rouen, you wouldn’t want to miss the Cathedral of Notre Dame, made famous by Claude Monet’s series of paintings, or the famous Clock Tower in Old Towne.
This is certainly not an exclusive list of places connected to Joan of Arc’s history. Indeed, churches and town squares throughout France are filled with paintings and statues of the Maid of Lorraine, including the village church at Mont Saint Michel. Her story continues to permeate French culture and fascinate every French school child.
SLIDE SHOW
Photos taken by Kathleen C. Perrin
Photos taken by Kathleen C. Perrin