French Renaissance poet Joachim Du Bellay identified in coffin found at Notre-Dame

The French National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) had warned that this Tuesday, September 17, the progress report on the research undertaken after the fire that ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019, would reveal "some heavy stuff." It was a promise kept, starting with the identity of the occupant of one of the two leaded coffins found under the transept crossing in April 2022. It is believed to be the poet Joachim Du Bellay, who died at the age of about 35, on the night of January 1 to 2, 1560.

Eric Crubézy, medical doctor and professor of anthropology at Toulouse's Paul-Sabatier University, made the announcement at the end of a presentation that was already particularly rich since it reviewed no fewer than 14 excavations carried out in and around the religious building.

Crubézy and his team identified the name of Joachim Du Bellay following a truly thorough investigation. In early 2022, the transept crossing had been excavated prior to the installation of the famous 700-ton scaffolding that would enable the spire to be rebuilt. Eight graves were discovered. This finding was not surprising, as thousands of people, mainly churchmen, were buried in what was