Day 6: Tuesday 4/12-Last Day before we fly home + All things Joan of Arc

Today we spent a lovely day in Rouen.  We started at the Eglise Ste. Jeanne d'Arc. (the church of Joan of Arc.) This church was built at the city center of Rouen in 1979. It was at this spot that Joan was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431.(heresy: going against the beliefs of the church-Joan believed it was the voice of God telling her she was the maid that would save France, she also did it wearing men's clothes...the Church leaders did not like any of this)

-the sweeping curves both inside and out are to represent the flames that took Joan's life 

-The stained glass windows came from a 16th century church that was destroyed in WW II.  The ruins are right outside this modern church. Luckily the windows were taken out and remained safe from destruction.  

We then went to Historial Jeanne d'Arc...This museum told the story through various videos as you wandered through of Joan and her fight to free France from the English.  It was so interesting.  Joan did what she promised...she brought victory to France at Orleans and got Charles VII crowned King of France.  The following months however, the French are defeated outside of Paris and Joan is taken prisoner by the Bourguignons (who are friendly to the English).  Joan is sold to the English and put on trial. 

In December, Joan is brought to Rouen and locked in the chateau fort.  May 29th she is sentenced to die and may 30th, 1431 she is burned and her ashes are thrown into the river Seine. She was 19 years old. 

The White piece sticking up is a gable of the former hall of justice that was built in the 14th Century and destroyed in the 17th century. It was where parts of Joan of Arc's trial were.  

In July 1456 the church declares the trial at Rouen to be wrong and Joan's name is cleared.

April 1909 the church declares Joan "blessed"

May 1920 Joan of Arc is made a Saint.  

We enjoyed walking around the town center with its tiny streets and shops: 

We then hopped in our rental car and headed back to Paris.  Tomorrow Connor will take the train back to Rennes and we will head back to the USA.