Archaeological excavations at Notre-Dame de Paris, initiated after the fire of April 2019, continue to reveal unsuspected treasures. Among the most striking recent discoveries is a lead sarcophagus, which may well contain the remains of the famous Renaissance poet Joachim du Bellay. This research, carried out as part of the cathedral’s restoration work, sheds new light on the history of this emblematic building and on the fate of this co-founder of the Pléiade literary movement.
In 2022, two lead sarcophagi were discovered beneath the transept crossing, arousing the interest of archaeologists and historians. One of these finds may well be that of the poet Joachim du Bellay, co-founder of the Pléiade literary movement, who died in 1560.
This potential insight into the location and condition of his burial site is the fruit of several collaborations between Inrap, the University of Toulouse III and the CNRS, providing a better understanding of funeral practices and life at the time.
Successful excavations in a place steeped in history
Since the devastating fire of April 15, 2019, restoration work at Notre-Dame de Paris has led to major archaeological advances. Entrusted to the Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives, these excavations took place both inside and outside the cathedral, with some fifty archaeologists mobilized. These investigations revealed remains from different periods, spanning almost 2000 years of history. Notable discoveries included Carolingian remains, ancient floors and medieval foundations, notably under the forecourt and in the Soufflot cellar. Researchers also uncovered fragments of the 13th-century rood screen, including over 700 polychrome elements, testifying to the extraordinary artistic wealth of Notre-Dame in the Middle Ages. These discoveries add considerably to our knowledge of
In 2022, at the transept crossing, two anthropomorphic lead sarcophagi were unearthed by archaeologists. The first was quickly identified by an epitaph inscribed on the coffin. It referred to Canon Antoine de La Porte, who died in 1710. He was known for his patronage and support of religious art. In particular, he financed major works for the cathedral, such as the great choir paintings illustrating the life of the Virgin Mary.
The second coffin, on the other hand, has raised many questions. The coffin bore no inscription identifying the deceased. It plunged researchers into a veritable archaeological investigation. In-depth analysis revealed that it contained a man aged around 35. This represents an anomaly for Notre-Dame burials of this period. Most burials concern older men, often members of the clergy.
An almost certain identification for Joachim du Bellay
Initial observations showed that the body had undergone an autopsy and bore traces of tuberculosis of the bone. This disease, rare at the time, pointed researchers in the direction of specific historical figures. These clues led experts to consider the “Joachim du Bellay” hypothesis. This famous 16th-century poet is known to have suffered from this disease. He died at the age of 37. Inrap scientists, led by doctor and archaeologist Éric Crubézy, alo
Careful examination of his skull and sternum, opened for autopsy, confirmed the hypothesis of post-mortem embalming. This practice was reserved for important individuals. These elements, combined with the estimated age of the deceased, point directly to Joachim du Bellay.
Other anatomical details reinforce this hypothesis. The pelvic bones show signs of wear attributable to regular horseback riding. A trait we know to be characteristic of the poet. Despite his illness, Joachim du Bellay travelled on horseback from Paris to Rome, notably when accompanying his uncle, Cardinal Jean du Bellay. He undertook this long and arduous journey on several occasions. This would be consistent with the deformations observed on the bones of the deceased.
In addition, Joachim du Bellay’s writings repeatedly mention symptoms such as severe headaches and progressive deafness, classic clinical signs of the chronic meningitis from which he suffered. These medical and biographical correspondences make identification of the body almost certain…
Doubts remain
Despite the convergence of these elements, researchers are still unable to state with certainty that the body discovered is indeed that of Joachim du Bellay. Christophe Besnier, one of the main people in charge of the excavations, points out that isotope analyses show that the individual had probably lived in the region where the excavations were carried out.
However, this detail does not correspond to the known origins of the poet, who was born in Anjou, in the Maine-et-Loire region. This geographical discrepancy is a key point of caution for archaeologists. It suggests that the individual buried beneath Notre-Dame could be another important figure from the same period, but with no direct link to du Bellay’s native region.
The location of the burial site is another source of uncertainty. Joachim du Bellay was to be buried in the Saint-Crépin chapel. It is located in the chevet of the cathedral, alongside his uncle, Cardinal Jean du Bellay. However, the poet’s tomb was not found during construction work in 1758. This suggests that his remains were transferred at a later date.
However, the absence of historical documents confirming this move also fuels doubts. Two main hypotheses are envisaged: either a temporary burial in the transept crossing was made permanent, or his body was moved to this spot during another burial, as happened to other personalities of the period. These grey areas are a reminder that, although the clues are strong, concrete elements are still lacking to definitively identify du Bellay.
A poet at the heart of Notre-Dame and many other personalities
Let’s look back at Joachim du Bellay. Born in 1522 at the Château de La Turmelière in Anjou, he is one of the great poets of the French Renaissance and a leading member of the Pléiade literary group. Orphaned at an early age, he was taken in by his uncle, Cardinal Jean du Bellay, who played an important role in his education. Du Bellay studied in Poitiers, then in Paris, where he befriended Pierre de Ronsard, with whom he shared a vision of renewed French poetry.
In 1549, he published the manifesto Défense et illustration de la langue française. He argued for the enrichment and affirmation of the French language in the face of Latin influences. His career was marked by a stay in Rome with his uncle. During this period, he wrote Les Regrets. This is a series of sonnets imbued with melancholy and social criticism. Suffering from tuberculosis, he died in Paris in 1560 at the age of 37.
Excavations at Notre-Dame have uncovered much more than Joachim du Bellay’s potential sarcophagus. In fact, over a hundred burials were unearthed inside the cathedral. They offer an unprecedented insight into burial practices over the centuries. Some of these burials date back to Antiquity and the Middle Ages, even before the construction of the Gothic cathedral. Finally, Carolingian remains testify to the importance
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