Sophie de Brégis, comtesse d'Averne (fl. 1723), was a French

courtesan Courtesan, in modern usage, is a euphemism for a "kept" mistress or prostitute, particularly one with wealthy, powerful, or influential clients. The term historically referred to a courtier, a person who attended the court of a monarch or other ...

. She was the official mistress of

Philippe II, Duke of Orléans Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (Philippe Charles; 2 August 1674 – 2 December 1723), was a French prince, soldier, and statesman who served as Regent of the Kingdom of France from 1715 to 1723. He is referred to in French as ''le Régent''. ...

, 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 during 1721.

Life

Her parents are unknown. She married comte Ferrand d'Averne, who though a nobleman was a poor lieutenant of the royal guard. After marriage, she became a courtesan of Marquis d'Alincourt and

Armand de Vignerot du Plessis Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, duc de Richelieu (; 13 March 1696 – 8 August 1788), was a French soldier, diplomat and statesman. He joined the army and participated in three major wars. He eventually rose to the rank of Mars ...

, duc de Richelieu. She became the official mistress of the regent in 1721, after he was left by

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 ...

and then dismissed

Marie-Thérèse Blonel de Phalaris 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), was a French pri ...

the same year. The regent arranged a big party to her honor at 30 July 1721 at the

Château de Saint-Cloud The Château de Saint-Cloud was a château in France, built on a site overlooking the Seine at Saint-Cloud in Hauts-de-Seine, about west of Paris. On the site of the former palace is the state-owned Parc de Saint-Cloud. The château was exp ...

which attracted great attention to their relationship, which became a big scandal which was mocked in libelous literature. The regent dismissed her before the end of 1721, allegedly because she was unfaithful with the duc de Richelieu. After her, the regent did not have an official mistress again until 1723, when

Louise-Charlotte de Foix-Rabat, comtesse de Sabran Louise-Charlotte de Foix-Rabat, comtesse de Sabran (1693–1768), was a French aristocrat. She was the official mistress of the Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, who was the regent of France during the minority of the infant King Louis XV of France ...

introduced him to Mlle Houel, who he swiftly replaced with Marie-Madeleine de Parabère. d'Averne is mentioned last in 1723, being still active as a courtesan.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Averne 17th-century births 18th-century deaths Mistresses of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans People of the Regency of Philippe d'Orléans French courtesans