I’ve always held a fascination for Joan of Arc, ever since I was a little girl.
The historical story is a remarkable one, no matter what one believes.
To hear heavenly voices and do something amazing, to save one’s country and obey God – it’s the stuff of dreams and fairy tales.
But Joan did all that and more.
Joan was burned at the stake as a heretic in 1431, after a politically-motivated trial. The appellate court retried Joan and declared her innocent on 7 July 1456. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920.
We’re focusing on European history this year since we’re living in Germany.
We spent several weeks reading about Joan of Arc, the 100-year war, and other issues of the Middle Ages.
To celebrate the end of the first unit of our history cycle 2, we visited Rouen – where Joan of Arc was tried and executed.
For our Joan of Arc Unit Study, we read lots of books, watched some films, completed notebooking pages, and traveled to Rouen.
Books:
Joan of Arc by
Joan of Arc: Heroine of France by
Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc by
Joan of Arc by
Joan of Arc by
Joan of Arc by
Joan of Arc (Step into Reading) by
My son especially loved this book and it was very accurate, not dumbing anything down.
Joan of Arc (Dorling Kindersley Readers, Level 4) by
Films:
Joan of Arc with Ingrid Bergman and Directed by Victor Fleming
Joan of Arc with Leelee Sobieski
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc with Milla Jovovich
The Passion of Joan of Arc (The Criterion Collection) with Maria Falconetti
Joan of Arc Interactive DVD by Nest Learning
There’s also an activity book here.
Activities:
St. Joan of Arc coloring page from Catholic Icing
Reenaction with Legos by Adventures in Mommydom
Simple Joan of Arc Lapbook from Homeschool Epiphany
Online documents of Saint Joan of Arc Trials
Interactive Maps of Travels of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc notebooking and coloring pages from Shower of Roses
Joan of Arc notebooking page from Homeschool Helper Online
Our Field Trip to Rouen:
Eglise Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc de Rouen
Since 1979, this church stands on the Old Market Square where she was burned. It is both a church honoring St. Joan of Arc and a civil memorial with a cross and eternal flame in the courtyard. The outside is modern, designed by architect Louis Arretche, evoking the sea with a cover of scales in slate or copper. The roof of the church is meant to resemble an overturned Viking ship and consuming flames. Inside, there are remarkable stained glass windows of the old church Saint Vincent Renaissance. There are no relics of St. Joan of Arc.
I paid €0,50 for an English brochure.
Hours:
Monday to Thursday, Saturday : 10am to 12pm and from 14h to 18h
Friday and Sunday : 14h to 18h
Closed : 25 December and 1 January.
Rouen Cathedral
Joan of Arc was put on trial in the bishops’ palace, but we felt it fitting to visit the famous cathedral.
The highest spire in France, erected in 1876, a cast-iron tour-de-force rising 490 ft above the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Claude Monet immortalized Rouen’s cathedral facade in his paintings.
A chapel is dedicated to Joan of Arc.
New Joan of Arc Museum in Rouen
The kids loved these discovery booklets with puzzles, questions, activities, and information about the life and times of Joan of Arc and the city of Rouen.
The Joan of Arc museum has projected videos and images that explain the story of Joan in each room of the bishop’s palace. It’s quite innovative and exciting and holds everyone’s attention really well.
There are statues and artifacts at the end of the tour.
We viewed the tower from the attic window.
We bought a rare souvenir in the museum gift shop:
See info about Historial Jeanne d’Arc here.
Individual Tickets €9,50 or Family Ticket €26
Hours:
31 May to 1 October:
Tuesday to Sunday: 9.45 a.m.–7.45 p.m. (last visit begins at 6 p.m.)
1 June to 30 September
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 9.45 a.m.–7.45 p.m. (last visit begins at 6 p.m.)
Friday and Saturday: 9.45 a.m.–8.45 p.m. (last visit begins at 7 p.m.)
Joan of Arc Tower
This dungeon was part of the castle built in 1204 by Philippe Auguste. It is all that remains of the Rouen Castle. Joan was held prisoner here during her trial.
We didn’t have time to walk over to the tower, but we saw it from the window of the museum.
Tickets € 1.50
Free for children under 18
Hours:
1 April to 30 September
10am to 12.30pm and from 14h to 18h Monday through Saturday. From 14h to 18h30 on Sundays.
October 1 to March 31
10am to 12.30pm and from 14h to 17h Monday through Saturday. From 14 to 17.30 on Sundays.
Closed: Tuesdays and 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November, 25 December.
I loved reading about Joan of Arc to my boys because in this house of overwhelming maleness, it is always good to have a strong female protagonist!
To be honest I have heard of her but know very little, so this has inspired me to learn more, thank you #overthemoon
Joan was very brave.
What a great homeschooling mom you must be, Jennifer! And I take it that you are in Europe to see and take your children to such grand wonders! Thanks for the sights as well as insights about Joan of Arc!
I have always been drawn to Joan of Arc. When I think of her, I think of Jeremiah 20:9 “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”
What burning she had to have on the inside to endure what she did on the outside. Thanks for sharing!
(visiting from 3-D Lessons for Life)
Perfect verse! Love it. Thank you!
Wow! How amazing that your family is able to visit actual historical sites associated with Joan of Arc. Talk about making history come alive! Thank you for putting together such a “meaty” post on the subject AND for sharing it on “Talk it Up Thursday” so I could find it. :)
~Candy
What an awesome experience! To be able to visit these places. That is so cool! I would like to learn more about Joan of Arc. That may be something we look at this year or perhaps the next. I will add that to my wish list of things to study. Informative post! Thank you!
I had no idea there were so many books and movies about Joan of Arc! Your trip must have been amazing judging by your pictures. Great post! I’m your neighbor at #Faith’nFriends
After seeing Joan Of Arc with Leelee Sobieski, I have always been intrigued by Joan of Arc! I’m going to take a look at some of these books for our homeschooling! Thank you for sharing at Party in Your PJs!
Joan of Arc is a great historical figure to study. It’s even more exciting to study and visit the historic places these events happened. What a great way to learn history. Thanks for sharing at Mom-to-Mom Mondays.
Thanks for linking up at Merry Monday.
What a fascinating woman! We studied her two years ago using our Story of the World curriculum and some library supplements. Thanks for sharing these incredible resources at the #LMMLinkup. I plan to feature you!
Your post is getting me in school mode, we start after labor day. My girls go to a classical education Christian school. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty Link Party #CCBG http://tryit-likeit.com/link-party-it