Nearly 600 Years Ago, Joan of Arc Began Her Quest to Save France 

In February 1429, the young Jehanne d’Arc left her home region of Lorraine to seek out Charles VII and save France from the English invasion. 

Joan of Arc was born in the village of Domrémy, in the Lorraine region of northeast France. As the English tightened their grip on France by besieging Orléans in 1428, this young peasant girl decided to follow the visions she’d been having: she claimed that several saints had instructed her to help the then Dauphin, Charles VII, ascend to the throne and defeat the English. 

In the spring of 1428, she left her home to travel to Vaucouleurs, a twon in the Barrois duchy headed by Robert de Baudricourt, a well-respected commander in Charles VII’s army. Baudricourt had previously bravely resisted the English and the Burgundians and Joan sought his support. She hoped to receive an escort to accompany her on her mission to meet Charles VII. Baudricourt initially refused, but after Joan’s persistent efforts and after she gained the villagers’ trust and admiration, he relented and provided her with an armed escort. 

In February 1429, Joan of Arc left her home region, disguised as a man, and headed to Chinon. Clothed in male attire and armed with a sword forged by the villagers of Vaucouleurs, she crossed dangerous enemy territory but successfully reached Chinon, where she was granted an audience with Charles VII. Mere weeks later, she departed for Orléans and liberated the city, marking the beginning of a series of military victories for the French that ultimately led to Charles VII’s coronation as king and thus sealed the legend of the young peasant girl turned patriotic warrior. 

Remembering the Beginning of Jehanne’s Journey 

Vaucouleurs, located in what is now known as the Meuse department, takes great pride in Joan of Arc’s passage through the town. Visitors can explore several key sites that commemorate her journey: 

• The Porte de France: The gateway through which she departed the town still stands today. 

• Joan of Arc Museum: Dedicated to the imagery of Jeanne d’Arc throughout history. 

• The Castle Chapel: The crypt houses a 14th-century statue of Our Lady of the Vaults, before which Joan used to pray. It also features beautiful stained-glass windows depicting Joan’s life and a 1945 statue of Joan, created by Maxime Réal del Sarte. 

• The Town Hall: Built in 1848, it houses a remarkable painting created in 1886 by Scherrer, measuring 4.20 m x 3.20 m, depicting Joan’s departure. It also features six Aubusson tapestries from 1990 illustrating her epic journey. 

• Equestrian Statue: Across from the town hall in the square stands an equestrian statue of Joan from 1939. Originally erected in Algeria in 1951, it was brought back to France and entrusted to the town of Vaucouleurs in 1962. 

A Medieval Festival 

To mark the 596th anniversary of Joan of Arc’s departure, the town of Vaucouleurs will don its finest medieval attire. Festivities will take place throughout the weekend of February 22 and 23, 2025, featuring demonstrations of medieval fighting and war machines, performances by minstrels and jugglers, stained-glass and calligraphy workshops, and a vibrant market showcasing craftspeople selling their handmade wares. On Saturday night, a fire show will illuminate the town, while a reenactment of Joan’s life will be staged twice on Sunday. 

This celebration serves as a testament to Vaucouleurs’ deep connection to Joan of Arc and its enduring role in preserving her legacy. For more information on the festival, visit tourisme-cc-cvv.fr & www.lameuse.fr

Lead photo credit : A statue of the maiden stands on the main square of Vaucouleurs, in the Meuse © Artipair