Madame de Montesson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlotte Béraud de La Haye de Riou |
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|---|---|
| Marquise of Montesson | |
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| Madame de Montesson circa 1780 after Vigée Le Brun (Versailles). | |
| Spouse(s) | Jean Baptiste, Marquis of Montesson Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans |
| Issue | |
| none | |
| Full name | |
| Charlotte Jeanne Béraud de La Haye de Riou | |
| Father | Jean Béraud de La Haye de Riou |
| Mother | Josefa Minard |
| Born | 4 October 1738 Paris, France |
| Died | 6 February 1806 (aged 67) Hôtel de Montesson, Paris, France |
| Burial | Église Saint-Roch, Paris |
Charlotte Jeanne Béraud de La Haye de Riou (born October 4, 1738 – died February 6, 1806) was a French noblewoman. She became known as Madame de Montesson. She was married to Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans, a very important French prince.
Charlotte loved the theatre. She even built a small theatre in her home. She wrote many plays and acted in them herself. She was also a friend of Joséphine de Beauharnais, who later became Empress of France. Charlotte was married twice but did not have any children.
Early Life and Marriages
Charlotte Jeanne Béraud de La Haye de Riou was born in Paris, France, in 1738. Her father was Jean Béraud de La Haye de Riou. Her mother was Josefa Minard. Charlotte was their only daughter. Her family came from an old noble line in Brittany, a region in France.
When she was 19, in 1757, Charlotte married Jean Baptiste de Montesson. He was the Marquis of Montesson and was 70 years old. He passed away in 1769.
After her first husband died, Charlotte met Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans. He was a powerful prince and a member of the French royal family. They fell in love and decided to marry.
Marriage to a Prince
Charlotte and Louis Philippe d'Orléans married secretly in 1773. This marriage was allowed by King Louis XV. Even though she married a prince, Charlotte could not become the Duchess of Orléans. This was because her family was not considered high enough in rank. She also could not be called a "Princess of the Blood."
A special house was built for Charlotte in Paris in 1770. It was called the Hôtel de Montesson. Sadly, this beautiful building was destroyed by a fire in 1810.
Later Life and Legacy
During the French Revolution, many nobles were arrested. Charlotte was also arrested and put in the Temple Prison in Paris. She survived this difficult time.
Charlotte Jeanne Béraud de La Haye de Riou died in Paris in 1806. She was 67 years old. She was buried at the Église Saint-Roch, a church in Paris.
Images for kids
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Charlotte-Jeanne Béraud de la Haye de Riou, Marquise de Montesson, as painted by Vigée-Lebrun, around 1780–90.
