St Joan of Arc's Church — Attraction in Rouen

The Church of Saint Joan of Arc in Rouen was one of the most moving stops on this trip to France. The Church is in the square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Never in a million years did I think I'd find myself here! There's a simple cross marking the spot, and standing there gave me chills.

The church itself is… truly unique. It looks nothing like your typical cathedral. The outside is covered in these overlapping tiles that look like scales- very dramatic and almost sea creature like. It had been explained how the roof was made to look like flames (symbolizing her execution) and an overturned Viking ship outside, almost looking like a hat. Super symbolic, and once you know this information, the design makes a lot more sense!

Inside, peaceful and very colorful. All the stained glass windows are unbelievably stunning!

This place is absolutely worth seeing if you are anywhere near Rouen! The history and the design combined is unlike anything...

The Church of Saint Joan of Arc is a Catholic church in the city center of Rouen, northern France. The church of Saint Joan of Arc was completed in 1979 in the center of the ancient market square known as the Place du Vieux-Marché. This is the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. A small garden, Le Bouchet, which is outside and to the north of the church marks the exact spot. The modern church Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc and the adjacent market halls were designed by the architect Louis Arretche. The sweeping curves of the structure are meant to evoke both the flames that consumed Joan of Arc and an overturned longship. Many early Christian churches were designed in the shape of an overturned boat. The market halls simultaneously resemble smaller overturned boats and fish with gaping mouths, which are also rich...

OK, this is the historic spot where Joan the Arc was burned at the stake, but in my humble opinion they could choose another architectural style. Joan the Arc Church is an ultra modern church made of concrete, glass and wood standing in the middle of a medieval square with half timbered houses and cobbled streets all around. It looks like an UFO crashed on the square. Adding more to its quirky design is the fact that under the other part of the same roof is a marketplace with fish, meats, fruits and vegetables stalls. That's in fact the old market (Vieux Marche) from medieval era. Interior is very nice, also modern, and I saw such Churches in Berlin, Helsinki, Rio,..etc, but here such design...