Domrémy-la-Pucelle, origin of the name
Domrémy-la-Pucelle, a charming village nestled in Lorraine that became famous as the birthplace of Joan of Arc.
Originally, it was simply called Domrémy, a name that likely evolved from Domus Remigius – The estate of Remigius, an ancient Roman farm. In 1578, more than a century after the death of Joan of Arc, the village adopted the name Domrémy-la-Pucelle, in her honour. “Pucelle” is an Old French word derived from the Latin “Pucillella,” meaning unmarried maiden.
Despite its small size, Domrémy was an important stop on one of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Thus, the regular presence of devout pilgrims in Domrémy-la-Pucelle undoubtedly contributed to Joan of Arc’s profound piety from a very young age.
Her upbringing in a pious family and her daily visits to the Sainte-Marie chapel to pray nurtured her piety and perhaps predisposed her to the visions she later recounted.
At the age of 13, Joan indeed began to hear voices, which she interpreted as those of saints urging her to undertake a divine mission to liberate France from English rule. This sense of divine calling, combined with her deep faith, led her to perform extraordinary acts that ultimately made her a central figure in the Hundred Years War.
Thus, after months of uncertainty, the Dauphin finally agreed to see Joan of Arc and entrust her with an army. The 17-year-old quickly inspired and galvanised the French troops, leading them to the liberation of Orléans, besieged by the English, and the gradual reconquest of the territory, earning her the nickname La Pucelle d’Orléans -The Maid of Orléans. Her ultimate triumph was orchestrating the Dauphin’s coronation in Reims!
Joan of Arc, emblematic character of the History of France
Tragically, the Burgundian lords’ party, allied with the English against the French Crown, captured her in Compiègne and sold her to the English. After a long trial marred by numerous irregularities, the judges declared her a heretic and condemned her to be burned alive in Rouen on May 30, 1431. She was only 19 years old.
The Pope annulled the trial in 1456, alas, too late! Not only did the rehabilitation trial exonerate her, but it also elevated her to the rank of martyr. The Church of Rome finally beatified Joan in 1909, and Pope Benedict XV canonised her in 1920.
The account of her trial paints the portrait of a courageous and outspoken young woman, endowed with a sharp wit and a biting repartee, modern qualities that, quite clearly, worked against her. But this also explains how, despite her young age and gender, she not only managed to command respect among the French soldiers but also to inspire them.
Joan of Arc remains an iconic figure in French history and one of the country’s three patron saints, along with Sainte Anne and Sainte Thérèse. France celebrates its feast day on the second Sunday of May, the date closest to the anniversary of the liberation of Orléans on May 8, 1429. The National Day of Joan of Arc and Patriotism is an official public holiday established in 1920.
Joan of Arc’s birthplace in Domrémy-la-Pucelle
Joan was born into a family of prosperous farmers who owned a house adjoining the parish church of Domrémy-la-Pucelle. This dwelling might seem modest, though, by today’s standards. She lived there with her parents, Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romée, as well as her brothers Jacques, Jean, and Pierre, and her sister Catherine. The Vosges département acquired the house in 1818, carefully restored it, and transformed it into a museum. You can explore Joan’s bedroom, her brothers’ apartments, and even the cellar, and admire the remarkable tympanum, adorned with 17th-century coats of arms and a statue of Joan kneeling in armour, that decorate the facade. The house was listed as a historical monument in 1840.
Church of Saint Rémy in Domrémy-la-Pucelle
Joan of Arc was baptised in the Church of Saint-Rémy, the parish church of Domrémy-la-Pucelle. The church underwent significant renovations in the 19th century, but the baptismal font and sculptures from Joan’s time, and the 13th-century tower, remain.
In 1929, Maxime Real del Sarte created a remarkable bust of Joan of Arc, which was placed in the south transept of the church. This masterpiece, entitled “The Last Sigh,” is a combination of Carrara marble, bronze, and onyx, and its base contains soil taken from the very spot where Joan met her death in Rouen.
A striking fresco depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian adorns one of the church’s pillars. Although built in 1586, this remarkable work remained hidden under layers of plaster until its rediscovery during restoration work in 1904. The church also houses notable statues, including one of Saint Margaret and a replica of the statue of Joan of Arc housed in Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, UK. Despite significant damage sustained during the Second World War, the Church of Saint-Rémy Church was meticulous restored and officially listed as a historic monument in 1946. Its most recent restoration was completed in 2005.
Basilique Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc in Domrémy-la-Pucelle
Joan of Arc recounted hearing heavenly voices during her prayers at the Chapelle Sainte-Marie, located on the Côteau de Vignes, a modest hill overlooking Domrémy-la-Pucelle. The original chapel has since been replaced by the Basilique Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc, also known as the Basilique du Bois Chenu. In 1881, the architect Paul Sedille created the National Monument of French Gratitude to Joan of Arc, which stands in front of the basilica.
Department of Vosges – Lorraine
Coordinates: Lat 48.442317 – Long 5.675404
Photo via Wikimedia Commons photos: Joan’s house by René Hourdry CC BY-SA 4.0 – St Remy Church by JJuergen Kappenberg, Pirmasens, Germany CC BY-SA 2.5 – Basilique du Bois Chenu by OT ouest Vosges CC BY-SA 4.0 – Header by Zairon CC BY-SA 4.0
