Marie Auguste de Maupas

The most distinguished member of the de Maupas family, both for his decorated military career and his legacy to the Castle, is Marie Auguste de Maupas, son of Jérôme, the collector.

After graduating as an officer from the prestigious Fontainebleau Military School, Marie Auguste took part in the Napoleonic campaigns in Germany, Poland and Spain as part of a light cavalry regiment. His performance earned him a Chevalier Grand Eagle from the Legion of Honour, which he received from Emperor Napoleon I himself in a ceremony held in Leipzig.

During the French Restoration, monarchical traditions took renewed strength among aristocratic french families. Marie Auguste followed suit, offering his service to the Duke of Angoulême, the son of Charles X, King of France, and was appointed as field assistant to the Marquis of Rivière, who was serving as Ambassador in Constantinople.

In 1827, Rivière was appointed as master in charge of the education of the Duke of Bordeaux and Count of Chambord, who also happened to be the heir to the French Crown. Marie Auguste of Maupas was his second in overseeing the instruction and tutelage of the seven-years-old boy.

The boy felt a special trust and affection towards his teacher, and this soon developed into a friendship that would last a lifetime. The child used to write heartfelt letters, filled with drawings, to the veteran officer, and they were all addressed to “My Dear Maupas.”

Marie Auguste’s devotion to his young charge was rewarded with numerous gifts worthy of the Royal family, which the child’s mother, the Duchess of Berry, presented to the Marquis of Maupas and his family. She was a young widow fully committed to her son’s monarchical aspirations. In 1832, as part of her attempt to get La Vendée region to join her cause, the Duchess lived for a while at the Château de Maupas, where you can still find in display many of the items on display serve as testimony to the close relationship between both families.