JEANNE POISSON, MARQUISE DE POMPADOUR

Pretty and ambitious, Jeanne Poisson was a young bourgeoise; she became Madame d'Etiolles through a wedding arranged by her mother. She set off to conquer the heart of the attractive Louis XV and they fell in love passionately. The king paid no attention to the scandal caused by the arrival of this commoner in his court. She became Marquise de Pompadour and was the king’s most faithful ally.

Patron of Enlightenment and arts, mistress of a king, she became despite all opposition « the sovereign » of one of the world’s most powerful countries. Madame de Pompadour succeeded in being the « first French lady», ahead of her times.