It gave three Marshals of France and counts among its members the famous Anne, Duke of Joyeuse (1560–1587), who was one of Les Mignons of King Henry III.

If one believes the legend, the first lords of Joyeuse were warriors of the armies of Pepin the Short or his son Charlemagne.

His son Guillaume married Anne de Balsac d'Antraigues and they had six children.

It is the last, Jean, Lord of Saint-Sauveur, who continues the line; he married Françoise de Voisins who brought him important estates in Languedoc.

The succession poses a problem with the death of the eldest child, Jean, killed at the battle of Thérouanne in 1555.