Un frère de Nicolas Foucquet: François, Archevêque de Narbonne; Exilé à Alençon

Born into a bustling Parisian household in 1611, François Foucquet was the eldest of twelve children and the first to embark on a clerical path. Groomed by a father whose entrepreneurial spirit helped organize France’s early merchant navy and colonial ventures, he quickly rose through the ecclesiastical ranks, becoming bishop of Bayonne at twenty‑seven and later archbishop of Narbonne. His career was marked by a sincere devotion to his diocese, the foundation of a convent with his sister, and the stewardship of valuable religious and cultural assets.

The political storm that engulfed his brother Nicolas—once the king’s most trusted minister—did not spare François. Stripped of his privileges, he was sent into exile in Alençon, where he spent his later years navigating a modest court life while leaving behind a trail of charitable deeds and lasting memories. The narrative paints a vivid portrait of a man caught between family loyalty, personal faith, and the turbulent tides of 17th‑century French politics.