Jeanne was born in France in about the year 1227, the eldest daughter and co-heiress of Geoffrey VI, Viscount of Châteaudun, and his wife Clémence des Roches (died after September 1259). Her father also held the titles of seigneur of Chateaudun, Chateau-du-Loir, Mayet, Loupeland, Montdoubleau, and la Suze. In 1229, he participated in the Crusade against the Albigenses in the Languedoc.