Nestled within the embrace of Battlefields Park lies a radiant gem that beckons those who seek the tranquility of nature’s embrace – the Joan of Arc Park. Step into this enchanting garden and let the beauty of its design and the stories it holds unfold before your eyes.
Conceived in 1938 by the visionary landscape architect Louis Perron, this garden is a masterwork of artistry and style. Its rectangular layout, slightly sunken below ground level, marries the elegance of French classical design with the charm of British-style flowerbeds. As you wander through its pathways, you’ll find yourself amidst a floral symphony that harmonizes over 150 species of annuals, bulbs, and perennials.
In the summer, the flowerbeds come alive with hundreds of varieties, casting vibrant hues beneath the graceful branches of majestic elms. As autumn paints the landscape with warm, seasonal colors, the perennials and annuals continue to grace the garden with their presence. And come October, sculptures adorned with legends from the Plains invite visitors to bask in their interpretation, whether it’s the warmth of daytime or the enchantment of the evening.
But the true beauty of this garden lies not only in its design but also in the century-long floral tradition that sustains it. For over a hundred years, the National Battlefields Commission has nurtured the very flowers that adorn the park. The greenhouses, some of Québec’s oldest, tirelessly produce an astonishing array of 45,000 annuals, biennials, and perennials, weaving a tapestry of color and life that enriches every corner.
Yet, perhaps the most captivating feature of the Joan of Arc Park is its mosaiculture, an art that turns flowerbeds into living canvases. With creativity and finesse, the technique of carpet bedding creates raised designs or lettering using specific plants. This horticultural masterpiece, an integral part of the park’s ornamental tradition, is a testament to the pride and expertise of those who tend to its beauty. And it was here that the National Battlefields Commission first introduced this gardening technique to Québec, a legacy celebrated at the base of the park’s main monuments.
And speaking of monuments, the crowning jewel of the Joan of Arc Park is the eponymous statue herself. Resting atop a horse, adorned in battle attire, Joan of Arc’s presence is commanding yet serene. Carved by Anna Hyatt Huntington, the statue rests upon a cenotaph formed from a colossal 28-ton block of stone from the Notre Dame mountain range in the United States.
The story of this monument carries the touch of an American couple captivated by the allure of Québec City. Anna Hyatt Huntington, the sculptor herself, and her anonymous husband gifted the Joan of Arc Statue, igniting a moment of both curiosity and controversy. How could a statue honoring a saint celebrated for liberating France from the English find its place in a celebration of harmony between English and French Canadians?
The dedication on the monument, however, paints a different tale: “A tribute to the patriotism and courage of the heroes of 1759-1760.” This sentiment served as a bridge between the statue’s historical context and its place within the Battlefields Park. With a dedication that resonated on both sides of history, the monument and its surrounding gardens were inaugurated on a day bathed in significance – September 1, 1938.
So, as you explore the Joan of Arc Park, allow the petals of its stories to unfold beneath your footsteps. Let the artistry of the gardens and the legacy of the statue guide you through a journey where beauty, history, and nature entwine in a tapestry that’s as vibrant as it is timeless.