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Origin and history

The Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc de Rouen church, located in Old Market Square, is a Catholic religious building built as part of the redevelopment of this square. It was designed by the architect Louis Arretch and integrated into an ensemble including a covered market and a memorial dedicated to Jeanne d'Arc. Its architecture, partially buried and inspired by shapes evoking a Viking boat or fish, is marked by a reinforced concrete structure and a laminated-glued frame. The church was consecrated on 29 April 1979 and inaugurated on 27 May 1979 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

One of the most remarkable elements of the church is the integration of 13 16th century stained glass windows from the ancient church of Saint Vincent destroyed in 1944. These windows, built between 1520 and 1530, had been preserved by the Historic Monuments Service since 1939. They represent various religious scenes, such as the Life of St Peter, the Triumph of the Virgin, or the Passion of Christ. Three of these stained glass windows are attributed to the Leprince de Beauvais workshops, while others are the work of Rouennais glass painters influenced by Arnoult de Nijmegen.

The church of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc was listed as historic monuments on October 30, 2002. It symbolizes a fusion between ancient heritage and architectural modernity, while paying tribute to Jeanne d'Arc, the emblematic figure of Rouen. Its location, on the square where Jeanne d'Arc was burned in 1431, reinforces its commemorative and historical character.

The construction project is part of a desire for urban revitalization after the destruction of the Second World War. The church, with its complex plan and central altar, embodies an innovative approach to sacred space. Today it is an active place of worship, while attracting visitors for its artistic heritage and unique architecture.

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