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Origin and history

The monument to Joan of Arc de Chinon, made in the late 19th century, consists of a bronze equestrian statue of nearly 7 tons, representing the heroine in military outfit, sword and banner in hand, trampling on two English soldiers. The work is inspired by a painting by Raymond Balze and a prophecy by Merlin, evoking a virgin whose horse "will tread the backs of archers." The stone pedestal, surrounded by eight terminals connected by chains, rests on an weeded platform, added later.

The town of Chinon, long wishing to honour Jeanne d'Arc but lacking funds, accepted in 1892 the gift of sculptor Jules Roulleau: the statue itself, exhibited at the Salon that year. The commune then financed the pedestal, originally designed by architect Henri Deglane (for 22 400 Francs), before Mr Favreau, communal architect, supervised the realization. A public subscription, launched in 1894, allows to cover the residual costs, including the laborious transport of the statue from Paris — a journey by horse car requiring even the temporary dismantling of telegraph wires.

The inauguration, presided over by Admiral Henri Rieunier (Minister of the Navy), took place on 12 and 13 August 1893 in a big pump, with fireworks, banquet, musical competitions and cycling races. The monument is set up in Jeanne d'Arc Square, on the supposed site where the heroine trained at the quintaine. Its erection committee, led by General Villain, brings together personalities such as François Coppée (French Academy), Mayor Herpin, or Senators Guinot and Nioche, reflecting the national symbolic importance of the tribute.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 2025, the protected complex includes the statue, its pedestal, the platform with its terminals and chains, as well as the surrounding gardened floor. The exact location, place Jeanne d'Arc (section cadastral AS), has remained unchanged since 1893, despite a cartographic accuracy deemed mediocre (level 5/10).

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