La Vallière (Book)

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-07-05 Diary Coverage: Up to 1874-02-01

Literary Work

Book by Arsène Houssaye about Louise de La Vallière, mistress of Louis XIV.

Diary References

1874

• January 19: Marie reading while sick, notes "J'aime le duc parce qu'il a l'air d'un duc" (I love the duke because he looks like a duke)
• February 1: Finishes the book. Finds Houssaye monotonous but reads with pleasure, "se lit à vapeur" (reads quickly)

1873

• Multiple references to reading about La Vallière

Context

• Part of Houssaye's series on royal mistresses
• Marie fascinated by court life and aristocracy
• Feeds her romantic ideals about nobility
• Part of her self-education in French history