The statue of d'Artagnan in the city park (section Van Aldenhofpark) of Maastricht and the discovered skeleton © L1 (Bern Opdenacker)

L1 News, March 25, 2026 Photos: Christianne Schreuder, Bern Opdenacker Spectacular find in Maastricht church: 'Everything points to skeleton of world-famous d'Artagnan' It could be one of the most spectacular historical finds ever in the Netherlands: a skeleton has been discovered in a church in Maastricht that possibly belongs to the famous French musketeer d'Artagnan. The whereabouts of the French folk hero have been a mystery for hundreds of years. The French musketeer Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan, as he was fully named, was killed during a 17th-century battle in Maastricht. A DNA test must now determine whether the remains discovered in the Maastricht church actually belong to d'Artagnan. These are drone images of the grave, taken in the church of Wolder.

Drone image

Under the old altar The skeleton was found in the nave of the St. Peter and Paul Church in the Wolder district of Maastricht, right in front of the current altar. The contemporary church is presumably the second or even third structure at this location, with roots going back to the 13th and possibly even the 11th century. The discovery came to light after part of the church floor subsided in February. During the subsequent repair work, the floor was broken open, revealing the remains. A long-standing suspicion It had been a suspicion for years that d'Artagnan might be buried in the church of Wolder. Yet, despite indications, the remains had never been excavated for research purposes before. d’Artagnan was killed on June 25, 1673, during the siege of Maastricht, where the French army of Louis XIV was attempting to capture the city. According to tradition, he was fatally struck a little further away, near the Tongersepoort, by a musket ball that hit him in the front (la gorge). Due to the warm temperature and the failure of the battle to end quickly, it was presumably decided not to transport the body to Paris. The Catholic King therefore chose to bury the soldier of honor in Maastricht, in so-called consecrated ground. The French army had set up its encampment in Wolder, close to the village church at the time. That church was, in all probability, designated as d’Artagnan’s final resting place.

This is the Peter and Paulus Church in Wolder, Maastricht in 2012. Ruud is walking in front! We were there, since we are interested in history and Ruud created a nice story about d’Artagnan, on our website, click HERE. Soon, he’ll make the latest addition to this story, as the find of the skeleton is WORLD NEWS!

French folk hero and national legend: who was d'Artagnan? What William of Orange is to the Netherlands, d'Artagnan is to France: a national hero. The musketeer was a confidant of Louis XIV and played a role in French military successes. Membership in the royal guard was considered honorable, despite the low pay. His death, resulting from courage and loyalty to the king, became a significant historical moment. As a result, Maastricht secured a place in French national history (books). Coin in grave Deacon Jos Valke was present at the first excavation and immediately sensed that it was a remarkable historical discovery. "A French coin lay by his body," says Valke, confirming the status of the deceased. "Moreover, the location of the grave indicates that it concerns an important person: the skeleton lay on the spot where the altar used to stand, and only royal or other important figures were buried under an altar at that time." DNA research To determine whether it is indeed d'Artagnan, a DNA sample was taken from the skeleton on March 13. "That is best done from the teeth, preferably a tooth with the root. Because that is where the most usable material is, I have been told," says Valke. A laboratory in Munich is now comparing this DNA with that of a descendant of the historical French figure. In the vicinity of Avignon, there is another bloodline on the father's side: Bertrand de Batz de Castelmore. That DNA is currently being analyzed. The result is expected soon.

Part of the jaw and teeth used for the DNA analysis. © Stichting 6213 HL

Hope is high Although there is no hard evidence yet, everything seems to point towards the right hand of the French king. For instance, remnants of a musket ball were found near the ribs. This corresponds with the description of d'Artagnan's injury in history books. The involved archaeologist, Wim Dijkman, confirms this as well. Although he himself prefers to wait for the indisputable results from Munich. "I am still being very cautious; I am a scientist. But my expectations are high," says Dijkman. "I have been researching d'Artagnan's tomb for 28 years. This could be the highlight of my career. I have had many contacts in France for years, and they always ask me why d'Artagnan has not yet been found. That seems to be the case now, because so far nothing has been found that contradicts the idea that this is not him. But again: I am awaiting the DNA analysis." For a long time, the location of d'Artagnan's final resting place remained a mystery. It even became part of the national legend surrounding the figure. It is quite possible that this mystery will soon be solved. Two d’Artagnans There are actually two d’Artagnans: the historical figure—who actually existed—and the fictional character of the musketeer. The general public knows the latter primarily through the nineteenth-century novel *Les trois Mousquetaires* (The Three Musketeers) by the French writer Alexandre Dumas. D’Artagnan was the fourth musketeer. Dumas’ books have been adapted into films more than a hundred times, ranging from Hollywood productions to Chinese Kung Fu movies. However, Dumas’ version deviates somewhat from reality: he added romanticized elements and altered details for literary effect. For instance, the book character is a man in his early thirties, whereas the historical d’Artagnan was well over sixty years old and not in the best condition when he died. Security measures The skeleton has since been removed from the church and is now at an archaeological institute in Deventer. The items that lay with the remains in the grave are also no longer present in the church. Finally, the church board installed an alarm system last month to deter unwanted visitors, such as grave robbers. Mayor proud, but cautious The Mayor of Maastricht, Wim Hillenaar, reacts enthusiastically to the discovery of the skeleton but is reserved with comments for the time being. "If the DNA research confirms this, it would be a remarkable discovery within an important chapter in the history of Maastricht," said the mayor. "At the same time, it is now of great importance that the ongoing investigation can be conducted with the necessary care and scientific accuracy. Until those results are known, restraint is appropriate." Hillenaar says he is following the news with appropriate pride. "We thank all the researchers, archaeologists, and volunteers involved for their dedication and professionalism, and look forward to the outcome with anticipation and a healthy dose of suspense." (Note Ineke: André Rieu always claimed that according to the legend, d’Artagnan ate his last breakfast in his historic castle-kitchen, before he fell in battle near the city walls of Maastricht in 1673. André recently placed a wooden sculpture of d’Artagnan in his backyard).

Dumas's novel and the character of d'Artagnan as presented based on the novel © iStock

Castle backyard

Van Aldenhofpark, Maastricht.

Video by L1, duration 2,5 minutes.

March 25, 2026 Chapeau Magazine, Jo Cortenraedt d’Artagnan’s grave possibly found in Maastricht The grave of the famous French musketeer d’Artagnan, also known as Charles de Batz de Castelmore, may have been found in the St. Peter and St. Paul Church in the Wolder district of Maastricht. With the permission of the church board and the municipality of Maastricht, archaeological research was conducted there on March 13, and a skeleton was found at the foot of the altar. Various institutes at home and abroad are now examining this man's skeleton. According to Camille Oostwegel Sr., Capitaine-Lieutenant de la Compagnie des Mousquetaires d’Armagnac in the Netherlands, it is 90 percent certain that it is d’Artagnan. “It was already known that d’Artagnan was killed at the gates of Maastricht on June 25, 1673, but his grave has never been found before. If we can establish this with certainty soon, it will be world news. I have already discreetly informed the palace of French President Macron.” The investigation is being led by former Maastricht municipal archaeologist Wim Dijkman, who conducted the excavation with a team of archaeologists. “A bullet was found in the kidney area,” reports Oostwegel. “It has already been established that it concerns a man of around 60 years old, and that also matches. The scientific investigation will be completed in the coming weeks, and then we hope to obtain certainty. In that case, it will become a major diplomatic discussion between the Netherlands and France as to whether the remains of this musketeer should remain in Maastricht or whether he should be reburied in France. For to the French, he is one of the greatest heroes in history, who died in the service of the illustrious King Louis XIV. In any case, Maastricht will once again become world news, following the Treaty of Maastricht, TEFAF, and André Rieu.”