The illegitimate daughter of Louis XIV who built a legacy through financial speculation
In short: Louise Françoise, a legitimised daughter of Louis XIV, navigated the treacherous waters of the French court with sharp wit and scandal. Beyond her turbulent romances and intense sibling rivalries, she amassed a massive fortune through investments with John Law, eventually commissioning the Palais Bourbon, now France's National Assembly seat.
Born in 1673 to Louis XIV and his mistress, the Marquise de Montespan, Louise Françoise was legitimised by royal decree later that year. Raised in relative seclusion, she eventually married the Duke of Bourbon at age eleven. Her life at court was defined by a caustic wit and a series of high-profile scandals, including a notable affair with the Prince of Conti that reportedly produced a daughter.
Her relationship with her younger sister, Marie Françoise, was marked by fierce competition, particularly after the latter married into the House of Orléans, securing higher precedence. This rivalry intensified during the Régence when the Duke of Orléans was named regent over Louise Françoise’s brother, the Duke of Maine. Despite these political setbacks, Louise Françoise remained a central figure, maintaining close ties with her half-brother, the Grand Dauphin, until his death in 1711.
In her later years, Louise Françoise focused on her architectural legacy. Using wealth generated from successful investments with the financier John Law, she commissioned the Palais Bourbon in 1722. Designed by architects including Robert de Cotte and Jean Aubert, the palace was inspired by the Grand Trianon. It served as a grand residence, later connected to the Hôtel de Lassay, which was built by her lover, Armand de Madaillan de Lesparre. She died in 1743 at the age of seventy, leaving behind a structure that would eventually house the French legislature.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Louise Françoise, Princess of Condé
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