author
marquise de Marie de Rabutin-Chantal Sévigné
1626–1696
Best known for letters that sparkle with wit, warmth, and sharp observation, this 17th-century French noblewoman turned private correspondence into lasting literature. Her voice brings the world of Louis XIV vividly to life, especially in the famous letters she wrote to her daughter.
2 Audiobooks
Lettres de Madame de Sévigné Précédées d'une notice sur sa vie et du traité sur le style épistolaire de Madame de Sévigné
by marquise de Marie de Rabutin-Chantal Sévigné
The letters of Madame de Sévigné : To her daughter and friends
by marquise de Marie de Rabutin-Chantal Sévigné
About the author
Born in Paris in 1626, Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné, grew up in an aristocratic family and was orphaned young. She later became a central figure in French literary history not through formal books or essays, but through her remarkable correspondence.
She is remembered above all for the many letters she wrote to her daughter, Françoise-Marguerite de Grignan. Celebrated for their wit, emotional honesty, and eye for detail, these letters offer a lively picture of court society, family life, and everyday events in 17th-century France.
Although her writing was personal rather than intended for publication, it has endured as both literature and history. Madame de Sévigné died in 1696 in Grignan, and her letters remain among the most beloved works of French prose.