Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether, during the 18th century, the mistresses of the king's brothers were as socially known as the King's mistress. In other words did everyone know about them or was the king the only on who could "publicly" have a mistress.

Thanks,

Monsieur, Comte de Provence, was supposed to have a mistress, Madame de Balbi. However, he probably never liked women at all, or might have been impotent due to health problems.

Comte d'Artois on the other hand, had many mistresses, among them actresses and singers. But her favorite lady was Louise de Polastron (Gabrielle de Polignac's sister in law), whom he lived with once in exile. She pulicly was his great love.

Thank you so much.

It's just the information I wanted.

There was also Zoé du Cayla for the count of Provence.

Zoe, she was not the woman who had, according to rumours, relations in love with the countess of Provence?

Could you please reformuler la question ?

Non, Madame de Gourbillon, the reader of Madame de Provence, had, according to rumours, relations with her. But it isn't sure!

Zoé du Cayla was in love with the count of Provence, but never with a woman.

Here, Madame de Gourbillon and this evening, a picture of Zoé du Cayla.

I have several informations of Charles X's mistresses, if you want, I can speak about this evening.

Madame de Balbi was Provence's "mistress" before the Revolution, although their relationship may have consisted mostly in late suppers at her Paris suite. After the Revolution, as Louis XVIII, he was quite taken with Zoe du Cayla, and they played backgammon together, but probably not much else. Zoe was very sweet and she at the Duchesse d'Angouleme's request she prevailed upon the old king to go to confession before he died.

Artois had many mistresses, but his great love was Gabrielle's sister-is-law, Madame de Polastron. After she died, he made a private vow of chastity. He never had another mistress or even a wife.

Madame de Gourbillon was the Comtesse de Provence's lady friend to whom she was inordinately attached. Provence would not let his wife bring Madame de Gourbillon with her to Mitau and they had a screaming fight on the steps of the palace. Louis XVIII had his way, as usual.

Pimprenelle wrote




I am really sorry Pim... I have shame... I corrected what I could of my post... When I said that I was null in English!!!... And morever if I write quickly and that I do not read again myself...


Ah yes Victoire-Adelaide you are right, I confused with Madame de Gourbillon thank you

Madame de Gourbillon was very close to Madame de Provence, indeed, and Marie Antoinette referring to Madame while writing to her mother says : "I would not change my reputation for hers".

Actually, women often had such passionate affections in the aristocracy. They were a fashion, this "inseparable" bosom friends. Unfortunately, Madame might mostly have had a penchant for drinking, and Mme de Gourbillon might have encouraged her in this way. I guess that, in her letter, Marie Antoinette refers to this specific drinking problem Madame had...

No, Chou, you are not nul at all, dear... You surf too much, that's all ! And too quick !!! Just like me........ Greedy surfers we are !

Ah indeed surf and speech about Marie-Antoinette becomes a disease... but an excellent regenerating disease

Gabrielle de Polignac was also reported to be mistress of comte d'Artois, rumour that I've reluctance to accept.

Pff... I have even read somewhere Vaudreuil and Diane de Polignac ! And Vaudreuil with the queen !