In the footsteps of Joan of Arc: A self-guided walking tour of key sites in Rouen
- teamthomastravels
- May 1
- 9 min read
Updated: May 9
Rouen is a city defined by its history, and few figures loom as large over its medieval streets as Jeanne d’Arc. While known to the English-speaking world as Joan, in France she is Jeanne, and it is this name you will see carved into the monuments and street signs throughout the city.
If you are heading to Rouen for the Joan of Arc festival next week or simply have an interest in her incredible story, there are several key sites you shouldn't miss. With her commemorative day falling on May 10th this year (the second Sunday in May) and the city’s major festival taking place between May 14th and 16th, it is an ideal time to visit. Joan of Arc's official feast day follows shortly after on May 30th, marking the anniversary of her death in 1431.
So if you're looking to explore Joan of Arc's story in Rouen, our self-guided walk will lead you around the essential sites in the city centre, focussing on her final months: the period of her imprisonment, trial and eventual execution.
The Story of Joan of Arc
But first, a little historical context: To understand why Joan of Arc is so central to the identity of Rouen, it is helpful to look at the circumstances of her life and death. She began her journey as a simple peasant girl from the village of Domrémy, nearly 300 miles from Rouen, claiming she had received divine visions from saints urging her to drive the English out of France and help the Dauphin, Charles VII, claim his throne. Her success on the battlefield turned the tide of the Hundred Years' War, but her luck changed during the Siege of Compiègne in 1430. It was here that she was captured by the Burgundians, who were then in alliance with the English.
After being sold to her enemies, she was brought to Rouen to face trial overseen by Bishop Pierre Cauchon. While the official charges were religious, focusing on heresy and the act of wearing masculine clothing, the trial was a transparently political act. By condemning Jeanne d’Arc as a heretic, the English aimed to discredit her as a figurehead and more importantly, to delegitimise the French King, Charles VII, by proving he had been crowned by a servant of the devil. Ultimately, she was condemned as a relapsed heretic, leading to her execution in the heart of the city. She was only nineteen years old when she was burnt at the stake.
Justice was eventually served, though far too late for Joan herself. Twenty-five years after her execution, a rehabilitation trial was opened at the request of her family and with the support of Pope Callixtus III. In 1456, the original verdict was formally overturned and declared null and void: The new court found that the initial proceedings had been tainted by fraud, deceit and numerous legal errors, effectively clearing her name of heresy. Her status as a spiritual and national icon only grew over the following centuries, leading to her beatification in 1909. Finally, on 16 May 1920, she was canonised as a saint by Pope Benedict XV in a ceremony at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Today, she is remembered not just as a military leader or a tragic figure, but as a patron saint of France whose legacy remains woven into the very fabric of Rouen.
The Joan of Arc Walking Tour
1. Tour Jeanne d'Arc
This first stop is a very short walk away from Rouen Rive Droit train station, your arrival point into the city. To see what remains of the fortress where Joan was held prisoner during her months of captivity, you should head to the Tour Jeanne d'Arc. Also known as the Rouen Donjon, this imposing stone tower is the only surviving part of the vast medieval castle built in the early thirteenth century. It was inside these thick walls that Joan was threatened with torture by her captors, and it remains a powerful symbol of her resilience.
2. Historial Jeanne d'Arc
From here, follow Joan's journey through Rouen's half-timbered streets to the Historial Jeanne d'Arc. Located within the atmospheric Archbishop’s Palace, this is the very building where both her initial condemnation trial and her posthumous rehabilitation were held, and she would have been brought here from her castle prison. Rather than a traditional museum with rows of glass cases, the Historical has created a very effective high-tech, immersive experience. Multi-media projections and filmed actors guide you through a series of rooms, telling the epic story of Joan's life and the political machinations that led to her death, in the words of the people who witnessed it.
Open Tues - Sun 10am - 7pm
Adult €12 / Child (6 -18) €9 / under 6 free
3. Saint-Ouen Abbey Church
Not far from the palace, the Saint-Ouen Abbey Church offers another sombre connection to the story. This grand gothic building was once one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in Normandy and it was in the cemetery here that Joan was brought before a large crowd and forced to publicly renounce her faith under the immediate threat of being burned at the stake. Her later retraction of this statement is what led to her execution a week later.
4. Place du Vieux-Marché
The heart of Joan's story in Rouen is the Place du Vieux-Marché: the site of her execution on May 30th, 1431. While the surroundings are now filled with charming half-timbered houses and busy cafes, a towering memorial cross stands on the exact spot where the pyre was built. It's very sobering to pause and consider Joan's terrible fate, aged only 19.
5. Church of Saint Joan of Arc
In the centre of the market square, beside the commemorative cross, is the Church of Saint Joan of Arc. Completed in 1979, its architecture is strikingly modern and was designed by Louis Arretche to contrast with the ancient buildings nearby. The roof's unusual shape evokes the appearance of leaping flames or perhaps an overturned boat. While the exterior is bold, the interior is modern but peaceful and houses a series of magnificent Renaissance stained glass windows. These were originally from the Church of Saint Vincent, which was destroyed during the Second World War, and they were moved here to ensure their preservation.
6. Pont Boieldieu
A short walk from the square, south towards the river, leads to the Pont Boieldieu. A small memorial plaque on this bridge marks the location where Joan's ashes were cast into the Seine. This was done to ensure that no relics could be gathered by her supporters and so no gravesite would exist.
Other points of interest in Rouen related to Joan of Arc:
While these places are not physically linked to Joan herself, you might like to include them to round out the day's theme:
7. Musee des Beaux Arts
Rouen's fabulous (and free!) Fine Art gallery has a collection of paintings and statues of Joan, including 19th century works by Delaroche, Revoil, Joy, Fragonard and Chapu. You'll find them on the second floor next to the Impressionist Galleries.
8. Rouen Cathedral
Right by the Historical Jeanne d'Arc and free to visit, this is an easy add on to your walking tour: with Joan of Arc being the patron saint of France, it is only fitting that she has a chapel in the country's biggest cathedral. You'll see a statue by Real del Sarte of Joan, bound to the stake, at the moment of her martyrdom, and stained glass windows created in 1956 by master glassmaker Max Ingrand.
9. Lunch at La Couronne
If you are looking for a memorable lunch during your tour, you might consider booking a table at La Couronne. Dating from 1345 and recognised as the oldest inn in France, it was already standing on the market square when Joan was executed in 1431. In fact you would have been able to watch from it's very windows! The restaurant is famous for its sumptuous Norman cuisine and beautiful, atmospheric interior. Over the years it has hosted many famous faces, including John Wayne, Salvador Dali, Grace Kelly and Julia Child, who famously had her first fine French meal here.
10. Chocolaterie Auzou
For a taste of local tradition, a stop at Chocolaterie Auzou is highly recommended. Here you can pick up a bag of Les Larmes de Jeanne d'Arc, or the Tears of Joan of Arc. These are a speciality of Rouen and consist of roasted, caramelised almonds coated in a layer of dark chocolate and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. They are a popular local treat and make for a wonderful souvenir to take home. You'll find branches on Rue du Gros Horologe and on Rue des Carmes.
How to get to Rouen
Reaching Rouen is straightforward, as the city is a major transport hub for Normandy. Whether you are crossing the channel from the UK or arriving from within France, there are several convenient ways to reach the historic city centre.
Driving and Ferry Ports
If you are bringing a car from the UK, Rouen is perfectly positioned for a short drive from several major ferry ports along the Normandy Coast. This is the most flexible way to visit, allowing you to explore the wider Normandy region at your own pace.
From Dieppe: This is the closest port to Rouen. After arriving on the ferry from Newhaven, the drive south takes just under an hour.
From Le Havre: Take the ferry from Portsmouth - the drive from Le Havre to Rouen is approximately one hour and ten minutes.
From Caen (Ouistreham): For those arriving from Portsmouth into Ouistreham, the drive to Rouen is around one hour and thirty minutes.
Travelling by Train
If you're coming from elsewhere in France or continuing by rail after taking the ferry as a foot passenger, the train is a highly efficient way to arrive, with the main station, Rouen Rive Droite, located within easy walking distance of the historical heart of the city.
From Le Havre: Trains run regularly throughout the day, with the journey taking approximately fifty minutes.
From Paris: Frequent direct trains depart from Gare Saint-Lazare. The fastest services reach Rouen in roughly one hour and fifteen minutes.
From Caen: There are several services daily, with travel times usually ranging between one hour and forty minutes and two hours.
From Dieppe: Around 16 trains per day link Dieppe's ferry port to Rouen,with journeys taking around 50 minutes.
Arriving by Air
For those flying into France, the most common route to Rouen involves landing at a major hub and continuing the journey by rail or road.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): From the airport, you can take a shuttle or the RER train into central Paris to catch a train heading north out of Gare Saint-Lazare.
Paris Orly (ORY): Similar to CDG, you will need to transit through central Paris to reach the northern rail lines.
Planning a longer trip? Read our other guides to Normandy's unmissable highlights:
As we’ve spent a great deal of time exploring the region, you can find plenty more inspiration for your trip in our other Normandy guides. Whether you are interested in wartime history, local cuisine, or the beautiful landscapes that inspired the Impressionists, these articles offer a deeper look at what this wonderful part of France has to offer.
For those looking to deepen their understanding of the Allied landings, this guide highlights the crucial locations beyond the famous cemetery that offer a poignant look at the events of June 1944.
For those who have already visited Normandy's key wartime sites, this article highlights the region's other incredible attractions, including stunning coastal towns, locations that inspired the Impressionists, historic villages and incredible local food scene.
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