Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Joan Grimbert is Professor Emerita of French and Medieval Studies at Catholic University of America, where she began teaching the language, literature, civilization, and culture of France in 1987. Before completing her graduate studies in Romance Philology at the University of Chicago, Joan lived and worked in Paris for six years as a student, researcher, and translator. Her research is focused on medieval French literature, and she is an expert on Chrétien de Troyes and the legend of Tristan and Iseult from the 12^th century to the present.  Joan has published six books and numerous scholarly articles, primarily on Arthurian literature and film. A dual citizen of France and the United States, she was recently named Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes académiques in recognition of her work promoting French culture.