Emily Chan
One of his most famous works was “The Defense and Illustration of the French Language,” in which he argued that French literature was just as expressive and high-quality as the literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
He died in 1560 at the age of 37 after years of poor health. The poet’s remains were believed to be buried at Notre Dame, along with those of his relative and clergyman Jean du Bellay.
Jean’s remains were found under the building, but years of searching did not lead to the discovery of Joachin du Bellay’s tomb.
After the 2019 fire, archaeologists working on the cathedral’s restoration stumbled upon over 100 graves buried beneath it, including Joachin du Bellay’s.
The findings were not a surprise since thousands of people, primarily churchmen, were buried in what used to be a necropolis between the 14th and 18th centuries.
The human remains in the coffins were sealed behind lead to prevent moisture and decomposition.
However, not everyone believes the skeleton belongs to du Bellay. One of the leaders of the excavation, Christophe Besnier, stated that the isotope analysis—which allowed them to determine what the individual had eaten and drank in the area in which he had lived—suggested the man grew up in the Paris or Lyons regions, not Anjou.
Crubézy replied that du Bellay grew up living with Jean du Bellay, who served as the bishop of Paris.
