Revolt of the va-nu-pieds

The Revolt of the va-nu-pieds (French pronunciation: [vanypje], barefooted ones) was an unsuccessful popular uprising in Normandy in 1639 following King Louis XIII's decision to set up the gabelle salt tax in Cotentin in place of the privilege of the quart-bouillon.

Barnabé du Laurens de la Barre, president in the Election of Mortain, took an active part in the repression of this uprising.

The revolt was finally crushed on 30 November 1639 under the ramparts of Avranches where 300 dead were counted; those responsible were judged and the Norman towns lost their privileges.

Punishment fell on Rouen where Chancellor Séguier established himself at the royal abbey of Saint-Ouen, in 1640, lodged his soldiers with locals, replaced the municipality with a commission and banned Parliament.

Barnabé du Laurens de la Barre was ennobled in September 1654 by letters patent signed by King Louis XIV.