The Joan of Arc Historial is a cultural and historical site dedicated to the figure of Joan of Arc, Rouen’s symbol. Committed to a strong cultural project, the Historial embodies a modern vision of our heritage, in order to keep the legacy of this key historical figure vivid.
Its immersive digital journey and the various event, conferences or workshops offer many opportunities to plunge into the heart of history and all its facets.
The origins of this project
In 2012, at the instigation of Laurent Fabius, the project to create a historial dedicated to Joan of Arc in Rouen was born. After an unprecedented restoration campagin at the Archiepiscopal Palace, the Historial opened its doors in spring 2015. Its ambition is to be a place of remembrance around this figure, the historic symbol of Rouen.
As the city of Joan’s martyrdom, Rouen was duty-bound to pay tribute to the heroine on the very site of her two trials: the 1431 trial that led to her being burnt at the stake and the 1456 trial that exonerated her. The Historial is housed in this medieval palace, made available by the Archbishopric and the State.
The Historial : a team of specialists working on an ambitious project
The Joan of Arc Historial has a twofold ambition : to (re)discover the epic and incredible destiny of Joan of Arc, but also to shed light on the myth built up over the centuries: or how history and people have integrated, remembered, interpreted and sometimes exploited this universal figure.
To carry out this important work of documentation and research, a scientific committee of curators, researchers and historians has been formed around the project.
The scientific committee
Philippe Contamine, Member of the Institut, French medieval historian
Michel Winock, University Professor of Contemporary History at the IEP in Paris
Sylvain Amic, Director of Museums, City of Rouen
Olivier Bouzy, Curator at the Joan of Arc Centre in Orléans
Jean Duramé, former CREA Community Councillor in charge of the Joan of Arc Historial
Jean Maurice, Professor of Medieval Literature at the University of Rouen
Olivier Renaudeau, Curator of the Musée de l’Armée
Monique Blanc, Head Curator of the Museum of Decorative Arts
Today, the AMISTORIAL (Association des amis de l’Historial Jeanne d’Arc) is helping to raise the profile of the site by organising events around Joan of Arc and the Middle Ages, including a major symposium for the Joan of Arc Festival.
A tour where scientific excellence meets innovation
From the moment it opened, the Joan of Arc Historial chose to offer a tour route that puts immersion at the service of storytelling. It is the fruit of close collaboration between the scientific committee and the Clémence Farrell agency.
The Historial comprises around ten visitor areas, spread over five levels. The tour is divided into two sections: firstly, a digital tour in which visitors are guided from room to room through the investigation of Jean Juvénal des Ursins, followed by the Mythothèque, a space dedicated to the construction of his myth.
A programm dedicated to the legacy of Joan of Arc
Throughout the year, the Historial Jeanne d’Arc offers a wide range of events to highlight the legacy of this emblematic figure. Lectures, the Joan of Arc [R]Evolutions festival, educational workshops: each activity is designed to explore the many dimensions of the life and myth of Joan of Arc. These annual events provide an opportunity to delve deep into history, while encouraging discussion and opening up more contemporary ideas.
In addition, the Historial offers a wide range of opportunities for the public to discover the exceptional monument that is the Archbishopric of Rouen, through a number of major events: ‘Tous en scène’ evenings, architectural tours, evening events, etc.