Joan at the Stake Statue

Statue in Rouen

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Andy Li

The “Joan at the Stake” statue in Rouen is a poignant memorial sculpted by Maxime Real del Sarte with assistance from Roger de Villiers, and unveiled in 1927. Positioned in the Place du Vieux-Marché—the very square where Joan of Arc was executed—it stands in close proximity to the Church of Saint Joan of Arc and a commemorative cross that marks the exact location of the pyre. The statue’s expressive realism captures a moment of serenity and spiritual strength, underscoring Joan’s steadfast faith in the face of death.

This location is historically charged: on May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake at just nineteen years old. She had been captured the previous year by the Burgundians, allies of the English, and handed over to English authorities. With support from Church officials loyal to English interests, she was tried for heresy in a politically motivated process. But her death did not mark the end of her story. In 1455, at the request of her mother, the Catholic Church reopened the case. By 1456, Joan was posthumously declared innocent, and her trial was deemed a grave miscarriage of justice.

Today, the statue serves not only as a historical marker but as a symbol of national identity and resilience. Joan’s life—rising from humble origins to lead armies and champion a divinely inspired mission—has been immortalized in literature, art, and political thought. Her legacy continues to resonate in France and beyond, embodying themes of faith, courage, and resistance against oppression. The “Joan at the Stake” statue thus remains a moving tribute in the heart of Rouen to a woman who changed the course of history.

The Joan at the Stake Statue appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen!

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