Atout France – Press release THE LOIRE VALLEY LADIES The Renaissance tends to be dominated by men: kings, noblemen, artists. But who were the women of the time? The French Renaissance was, in fact, one of the few periods in French history when a strong concentration of women ruled the country alone, or in collaboration with kings or on behalf of sons. Many of these women had a strong connection to the Loire Valley, along with female artists. Influential women in the Loire Valley are also thriving today. Here we look at some of the most important female figures, both past and present. WOMEN OF THE RENAISSANCE The Mona Lisa She may not have lived in the Loire Valley – but she is probably the most famous woman in the world, and a symbol of the French Renaissance. Lisa Gherardini was a Italian noblewoman born in 1479 and the model for ‘La Joconde’, the famous portrait by Leonardo da Vinci commissioned by her husband, Francesco del Giocondo in 1503. In 1516, Leonardo came to France at the French king’s request and brought the painting with him. Francois I, who was passionate about Leonardo’s talent, named him ‘first painter, engineer and architect of the king’ and gave him the Chateau de Clos-Lucé in the Loire Valley, near his own residence at Amboise. Leonardo lived at Clos-Lucé until his death in 1519. Following his death, Francois I placed the Mona Lisa in the Palais de Fontainebleau where it remained for a century. Louis XIV moved it to Versailles and, after the French Revolution, it was moved to the Musée du Louvre – having also spent a brief period in Napoleon’s bedroom at the Tuileries Palace. Anne of France Anne of France was a French princess and regent, eldest daughter of Louis XI. She was the sister of Charles VIII, for whom she acted as regent from 1483 to 1491. During the regency she was one of the most powerful women of the late 15th century in Europe, and referred to as ‘Madame la Grande’. Between 1503 and 1521, she also acted as regent of the Duchy of Bourbon during the reign of her daughter Suzanne, Duchess of Bourbon. Atout France Press Office UK/IRE Anne Pedersen: + 44 (0)20 70616624, [email protected] Marine Teste: + 44 (0)20 70616640, [email protected] Atout France – Press release Catherine de Medici Catherine de Medici was born in Florence in 1519, during the Reformation. Married to Henry II, son of Francis I, she was Queen of France from 1547 to 1559 and ruled France as Queen Mother and Regent from 1559 to 1563. She held great influence over her sons and most likely authorised the famous Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day in 1572. Catherine is one of the iconic figures of the 16th century and her name is often linked to religious wars between Catholics and Protestants. She was the instigator of freedom of conscience for Protestants in France, and tried to get the concept of civil tolerance accepted on many occasions. As an outstanding mediator, she intervened mainly to manage diplomatic affairs. She led the negotiations and travelled the kingdom to enforce the peace edicts and the king’s authority. She is also considered one of 16th-century France’s greatest artistic patrons: she loved to surround herself with artists, poets, men of letters and musicians whom she brought to court. She was described as acrimonious, jealous of other figures of power, and merciless with crime in order to exert her influence. Today, she is more widely recognised as one of the greatest queens of France. Through her fight for peace and despite all opposition, Catherine became in the eyes of her contemporaries an extraordinary woman who inspired respect. Owner of the Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Catherine used the area as a hunting ground and stopover between Amboise and Blois, making profits thanks to the toll on the river and the land. On the death of Henri II, she exchanged Chaumont for the Chateau de Chenonceau with Diane de Poitiers, the king’s mistress. Christine de Pizan Christine de Pizan is one of the first female writers in Europe. Her knwoledge distinguished her from the writers of her time, both men and women. Widowed and destitute, she had to earn her living by writing. She is a prolific author who has composed treatises on politics, philosophy and poetry collections. She retired to a convent at the end of her life, where she wrote Le Ditié de Jehanne d’Arc in 1429. She also wrote, among other things, Le Livre des trois vertus and Le Livre de la cité des dames.. Atout France Press Office UK/IRE Anne Pedersen: + 44 (0)20 70616624, [email protected] Marine Teste: + 44 (0)20 70616640, [email protected] Atout France – Press release Marie de Medici Marie de Medici was the second wife of King Henry IV of France. Following the assassination of her husband in 1610, she acted as regent for her son, King Louis XIII of France. Although he came of age to rule in September 1614, Marie ignored him and continued to govern in his name. In 1617 she was exiled to the Chateau de Blois, but in February 1619 she escaped and raised a revolt. Re-admitted to the king’s council in 1622, she persuaded Louis to make Cardinal Richelieu chief minister. Richelieu, however, did not intend to be dominated by Marie. He enraged her by rejecting the Franco- Spanish alliance and allying France with Protestant powers. By 1628 Marie was the cardinal’s worst enemy. In the crisis known as the Day of the Dupes, she demanded that Louis dismiss the minister. Louis, supported by Richelieu, banished Marie to Compiègne. Marie built the famous Palais du Luxembourg in Paris, and from 1622–24 Flemish artist Rubens decorated its galleries with 21 paintings depicting the events of her life, which rank among his finest works. Marie was noted for her ceaseless political intrigues at the French court and extensive artistic patronage. Anne of Brittany Anne of Brittany, duchess of Brittany and twice queen consort of France, devoted her life to safeguarding the autonomy of Brittany within the kingdom of France. Anne succeeded to her father’s duchy in 1488 and the future of the duchy depended on her marriage. Desperate, Anne allied with Maximilian of Austria and married him in 1490. King Charles VIII of France, fearful that Brittany might pass into the hands of a foreign power, attacked it, and Anne was forced to break with Maximilian and marry Charles. The process of the union of Brittany with the French crown had begun. A woman of great intelligence, Anne devoted herself to the administration of her duchy. A patron of artists and poets, she commissioned a Book of Hours that was one of the most beautiful French prayer books to ever be produced. She also instituted the queen’s maids of honour at the French court. Anne was born at the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes and graced many chateaux in Loire Valley. She married King Charles VIII at the Chateau de Langeais, and spent time at the Cité Royale de Loches where she had a work office and an oratory. After being crowned at the Basilica of Saint-Denis in 1492, she lived between the Chateau d’Amboise, Paris and Lyon. The Chateau de Clos- Lucé had an oratory built for her. She lived from 1499 until her death in 1514 at the Chateau de Blois. Atout France Press Office UK/IRE Anne Pedersen: + 44 (0)20 70616624, [email protected] Marine Teste: + 44 (0)20 70616640, [email protected] Atout France – Press release Anne Boleyn Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII of England and Queen Consort from 1533 to 1536. She was the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Her marriage to Henry made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that started the English Reformation. Accused of adultery, incest and high treason, she was executed by beheading, though it is now generally accepted that she was innocent of these accusations. Anne was later celebrated as a martyr in Protestant culture. In France, she was appointed Queen Claude of France’s Maid of Honour and served as an interpreter when a high-ranking English visitor came to the French court. During this period, she learned French and acquired a knowledge of French culture and etiquette. Her education ended in the winter of 1521 when she was recalled to England by her father. She left Calais, still in English possession, in January 1522. Anne played a major role in England's international position by consolidating agreements with France. She established excellent relations with French ambassador Gilles de la Pommeraie and, with his help, she organised an international conference in Calais in 1532 where Henry hoped to obtain the help of French king Francis I to promote his new marriage. The conference was a political triumph as Francis approved Henry’s remarriage. Anne Gedouyn Anne Gedouyn was committed by patent letter of the king to act as bookkeeper of the Chateau de Chambord. She would be named ‘concierge of guard rooms and furniture’ in 1545. Atout France Press Office UK/IRE Anne Pedersen: + 44 (0)20 70616624, [email protected] Marine Teste: + 44 (0)20 70616640, [email protected] Atout France – Press release WOMEN OF TODAY WOMEN AND FOOD Le Lancelot: Catherine Delacoute Catherine embarked on a major career change from accountant to restaurateur in the Loire.