Joachim du Bellay, the poet found resting at Notre-Dame de Paris
In a discovery that feels straight out of a historical detective novel, the lead-lined coffin of poet Joachim Du Bellay has been unearthed beneath the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Yes, you read that right—an archaeological “cold case” has finally been cracked open, revealing a treasure trove of history beneath the very floors we once thought only echoed with the footsteps of tourists.
It all began with the aftermath of the devastating fire that struck Notre-Dame on April 15, 2019. As restoration efforts kicked off, a few surprises were waiting beneath the cathedral, and not the kind you’d expect. The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) had hinted at something big—quite literally “something heavy.” Fast forward to April 2022, when not one, but two lead-lined coffins were found in the crossing of the cathedral’s transept. This isn’t your average find; lead coffins were reserved for VIPs of the past.
And one of those VIPs? None other than Joachim Du Bellay, a poet from the French Renaissance. His discovery is a juicy tidbit of history that gives us a peek into the world of 16th-century France. Du Bellay, born in 1522, was a key player in the La Pléiade literary group, alongside other famous figures like Pierre de Ronsard. Du Bellay’s poetry often captured the beauty of his homeland, while also lamenting its hardships. Sadly, his life was cut short at the tender age of 35, on the night of January 1 to 2, 1560, but his influence on French literature lived on.
The painstaking process of identifying him wasn’t an overnight success. This was a historic whodunit, led by Eric Crubézy, a professor of anthropology at Paul-Sabatier University in Toulouse. Crubézy and his team dug into the past—literally and figuratively—finally concluding that one of these lead coffins held the remains of Du Bellay himself, one of the most iconic poets of the French littérature. Imagine the excitement of the moment, like striking archaeological gold in the heart of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Notre-Dame itself has long been a resting place for not just saints, but for scholars, priests, and patrons, making it a veritable necropolis between the 14th and 18th centuries. The other coffin, in case you were wondering, belonged to Antoine de la Porte, a wealthy canon of the cathedral who helped finance major projects, including the choir enclosure. Talk about putting your money where your faith is!
So, next time you visit Paris, as you gaze up at the reconstructed spire of Notre Dame, think about the layers of history hidden beneath your feet. Who knows what other untold stories are still waiting to be uncovered?
Organize your next visit to Cluny Museum in Paris where Joachim Dubellay will be showcased and at Notre Dame de Paris with Decouvertes
