She married Antoine d'Estrées in 1558, and they were the parents of Gabrielle d'Estrées—mistress of King Henry IV of France.

She was described by Gédéon Tallemant des Réaux in his Historiettes as the “most prolific clan of gallant women who ever existed in France.”[1] Francoise received an upbringing at the French royal court—as a fille d'honneur (maid of honour) to Mary Stuart.

Françoise Babou lived with separate rooms from her husband during her years in service at court and had an affair with du Guast.

[2] In 1583 she left the court and her husband permanently to live with her lover Yves d'Alègre on his estates in the Auvergne.

Their rule was highly unpopular, and in 1592, they were both assassinated for political reasons by citizens who broke in to their home.