Louise De La Valliere by Alexandre Dumas [PDF]

Information: Louise De La Valliere

• Author: Alexandre Dumas
• Publication Date: 1849
• Main Characters:
  • Louise de La Valliere: A gentle and sincere lady-in-waiting who becomes the object of Louis XIV's genuine affection, caught between love and the dangers of court life.
  • Louis XIV: The young King of France, charismatic and increasingly powerful, whose romantic pursuit of Louise drives much of the novel's tension.
  • Raoul, Vicomte de Bragelonne: Son of Athos and Louise's devoted suitor, whose heartbreak over her growing closeness to the king forms the emotional backbone of the story.
  • D'Artagnan: The resourceful musketeer, now older and serving the king, who navigates the court's intrigues with his characteristic loyalty and cunning.
  • Henrietta of England: Wife of the king's brother and Louise's mistress, whose own complex relationship with Louis sets the romantic plot in motion.
• Brief Summary: Louise De La Valliere follows the romantic entanglements and political schemes at the court of Louis XIV in 1661. The young king develops feelings for Louise, a lady-in-waiting to his sister-in-law Henrietta of England, turning what was meant to be a cover story into a genuine and complicated love affair. Meanwhile, the Vicomte de Bragelonne, who loves Louise, faces heartbreak as her affections shift. D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis move through these events in supporting roles that connect the story to the broader musketeer saga. The novel balances intimate personal drama with the larger power struggles shaping the French court.
• Thematic Analysis: At its core, the novel explores how love becomes entangled with power and duty. Louise's authentic feelings for the king collide with the transactional nature of court relationships, raising questions about whether sincerity can survive in a world built on appearances. Dumas also examines loyalty across generations, as the aging musketeers watch their values tested by a younger, more cynical court.
• Historical Context: The novel is grounded in real events from the early reign of Louis XIV, including his marriage politics and the historical Louise de La Valliere, who was indeed the king's mistress from 1661 to 1667. Dumas serialized this section as part of The Vicomte de Bragelonne between 1847 and 1850, blending documented French history with his signature fictional adventure.