La Valliere

La Valliere, Louise Francoise de (1644-1710), a mistress of Louis XIV., was born at Tours of an old noble family. Her mother, marrying again, brought her to Court, where she attracted the notice of Louis. Though lame, she retained his- favour for some time, and bore him four children. When discarded for a successor she retired to a convent and took the veil, spending the rest of her life in religious exercises. Her Reflexions were published in 1680 and 1854, and a collection of Letters in 1767.