Marie-Thérèse Blonel de Phalaris (1697–1782), was a French aristocrat. She was the official mistress of
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (Philippe Charles; 2 August 1674 – 2 December 1723), who was known as the Regent, was a French prince, soldier, and statesman who served as Regent of the Kingdom of France from 1715 to 1723. He is referred to i ...
, who was the regent of France during the minority of the infant
King Louis XV of France.
[Lescure, M. de (Mathurin): ]
Les maitresses du régent; études d'histoire et de mœurs sur le commencement du xviiie siècle
' She was the mistress of the regent between 1720 and 1723.
Life
She was married to George d'Entragues, duc de Phalaris, who went bankrupt and abandoned her to flee France to escape his creditors. Abandoned and poor, she was introduced by
Louise-Charlotte de Foix-Rabat, comtesse de Sabran to the regent, and became his mistress, although she did not replace her as his main mistress until
Marie-Madeleine de Parabère
Marie Madeleine de La Vieuville, Marquise of Parabère (1693-1755), was a French aristocrat. She was the official mistress of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, during his tenure as regent of France during the minority of the infant King Louis XV o ...
left the regent in 1721. Phalaris was described by the Parisian court nobility as a vulgar representative of the province nobility. Her spouse returned from Spain to take advantage of his wife's position, after which the regent dismissed her as his favorite and replaced her with
Sophie de Brégis, comtesse d'Averne. After d'Averne was dismissed, Sabran introduced the regent to a sixteen-year-old convent girl, Mlle Houel, in 1723. The regent tired of the girl after but a few months, after which he replaced her by resuming his relationship with Phalaris, who then became his last official mistress.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phalaris
1697 births
1782 deaths
Mistresses of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
People of the Regency of Philippe d'Orléans
French courtesans