Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-colline Parlementaire in Capitale-Nationale, — Central Canada (French-Canadian)

Do You Know Joan of Arc?

Connaissez-vous Jeanne d’Arc?

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2014

1. Do You Know Joan of Arc? Marker

Captions (English / French): (center, top View of George VI Avenue before the Joan of Arch garden was developed. / Aménagement de l’avenue George VI alors qu’il n’était pas encore question du jardin Jeanne d’Arc.; (center) It was not until after the statue had been donated that this site was selected and the decision made to surround it with a garden. / Ce n’est qu’après le don de la statue que l’on choisit cet endroit et décida de l’entourer d’un jardin. (bottom right) Photo taken when development work was completed (Fall, 1938). / Photo prise à la fin des travaux d’aménagement (automne 1938); Photo taken in September 1940 from atop the old weather station. Meteorological instruments are visible in the foreground. / Photo prise en septembre 1940 du haut de l’ancienne station météorologique dont on peut voir les installations au premier plan.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

English:
Who has not heard of this young girl who left her village at the age of 17, guided by mysterious voices? Her mission was nothing less that to drive the English out of France and bring about the coronation of Charles VII. Two years later, just as her goal was within reach, she was taken prisoner by the English and condemned to burn at the stake on May 30, 1431. A heroine and martyr, she became the symbol of patriotism. The First World War rekindled French nationalism, thereby reviving the memory of Joan of Arc and leading to her canonization by the Holy See on May 16, 1920.

A tribute to the historical charm of Quebec In the late 1930s, a rich American couple, having succumbed to the charm of the city of Quebec, decided to give Quebecers a present. The equestrian statue of Joan of Arc was to bear witness to their love of France and their delight in finding it perpetuated in North America while paying homage to the valiant heroes of 1759-1760. The generous donors have requested that their names not be revealed.

The statue This magnificent equestrian statue, which is one and a half times life size and weighs two and a half tons, is the work of American sculptress Anna Hyatt-Huntington and was erected in 1938. Four other replicas exist: on in New York City, one in San Francisco, one in Gloucester (Massachusetts) and one in Blois, France.

The garden This classic sunken garden is built on two levels: the stone structure is made without mortar, illustrating the dry masonry technique. Plantings are in the English-style mixed borders primarily composed of herbaceous perennials. The overall effect is spontaneous and natural throughout the flowering season, from April to October. Approximately one hundred and fifty (150) species are represented, including some one hundred perennials and fifty annuals. A row of American elms encircles the splendid arrangement.

French:
Qui n’a pas entendu parler de cette jeune fille qui, à l’âge de 17 ans, quitta son village, guidée par des voix mystérieuses? Sa mission: rien de moins qui de chasser les Anglais hors de France et de faire couronner le roi Charles VII. Deux ans plus tard, au moment d’atteindre son but, elle fut faite prisonnière par les Anglais et condamnée à périr sur le bûcher le 30 mai 1431. Héroïne et martyre, elle devint alors un symbole de patriotisme.

La Première Guerre mondiale raviva le nationalisme français et par le fait même la mémoire de Jeanne d’Arc, si bien, qu’elle fut canonisée par le Saint-Siège le 16 mai 1920.

Inspirés par le charme historique de Québec À la fin des années ’30, un riche couple d’Américains, tombés sous le charme de la ville de Quebec, décidèrent d’offrir un présent aux Québecois. La statue équestre de Jeanne d’Arc allait témoigner à la fois de leur amour de la France, de leur joie de la voir se perpétuer en Amérique et de l’hommage qu’ils rendaient à la vaillance des héros de 1759-1760. Ces généreux donateurs demandèrent alors que leur noms ne soient pas divulgués.

La statue Cette magnifique statue équestre une fois et demie grandeur nature et qui pèse deux tonnes et demie est l’oeuvre de la scuplteure américaine Anna Hyatt-Huntington et fut érigée en 1938.

Il existe quatre autres répliques de cette statue: on les retrouve à New York, à San Francisco, à Gloucester (Massachusetts) et à Blois, en France.

Le jardin Le jardin de style classique ou formel est réparti sur deux niveaux en contrebas, la structure de pierres est sans mortier (maçonnerie sèche). L’organisation végétale est constituée de plates-bandes mixtes à l’anglaise composées principalement de vivaces herbacées. Le tout donne à l’ensemble un caractère de spontanéité et un allure naturelle.

On y dénombre environ cent cinquante (150) espèces dont une centaine de vivaces et un cinquantaine d’annuelles. Un alignement d’ormes d’Amérique ceinture ce splendide arrangement.

Erected by The

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National Battlefields Commission / Commission des champs de bataille nationaux.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1839.

Location. 46° 48.234′ N, 71° 13.049′ W. Marker is in Québec, in Capitale-Nationale. It is in Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-colline Parlementaire. It is on Avenue George VI, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Avenue George VI, Québec G1R 3R2,, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: O Canada! (here, next to this marker); A Golf Club on the Plains of Abraham (within shouting distance of this marker); Jardin Jeanne d'Arc / Joan of Arc Garden

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2014

2. Do You Know Joan of Arc? Marker

(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Martello Towers in Quebec / Tours Martello de Québec (about 120 meters away); Martello Towers / Tours Martello (about 150 meters away); Montcalm (about 150 meters away); Louis-Alexandre Taschereau (about 150 meters away); Le Siège de Québec, 1759 / The Siege of Québec, 1759 (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Québec.

More about this marker. This marker is located in National Battlefields Park at Joan of Arc Garden.

Joan of Arc statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2014

3. Joan of Arc statue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.