Church of Saint Joan of Arc - Table of Contents ..................... Architecture Around the World
Exterior - The Church of Saint Joan of Arc
Rouen, France
(pron. roo ah)
The 1979 modern style [Expressionist] church Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc and the adjacent market [ Place du Vieux-Marché] 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 Viking ship. Many early christian churches were designed in the shape of an overturned boat. - Wikipedia (April 2012)
The sweeping curves of the structure are meant to evoke an overturned Viking ship
The sweeping curves of the structure are meant to evoke both the flames of the pyre on which the Saint was burnt
13 stained-glass windows from the Renaissance era form a glass wall of 500 square metres, bathing the interior in exceptional light. These fine windows date back to the 16th century and were originally set in another church which was destroyed during the Second World War. However, precautions had been taken and the windows were put in safe keeping until they found their new home some 40 years later.
A small commemorative plaque and a 20 metre high cross mark the spot on which Joan of Arc was burnt alive on the 30th May 1431.
