Church of St Joan of Arc, Modern Catholic church in Place du Vieux-Marché, Rouen, France
The Church of St Joan of Arc is a modern church building on Place du Vieux-Marché in the city center with an oval shape and curved lines. The roof resembles an upturned Viking longship and shelters a covered walkway that spans across the square.
The building was constructed in 1979 on the exact site where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431. It replaced the Saint Vincent parish church, which was destroyed during World War II.
The interior displays glass windows from the 1500s that came from the former Church of Saint Vincent, showing scenes from Christ's life and various saints. These recovered works sit within modern walls, blending old artistic traditions with contemporary design.
The interior is accessible most days and welcomes visitors to spend time there, while the arcades provide shelter from rain. It works best to visit in the late afternoon when natural light falls through the windows and the surroundings are quieter.
The roof features fish-shaped windows and Nordic tiles that blend maritime symbols with Christian meaning. This unusual combination of Viking inspiration and religious purpose makes the building visually distinctive.
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