Appointed by Queen Marie Antoinette in 1785, Agathe de Rambaud served as the official nurse to the royal children of France for seven years. Tasked primarily with the care of Louis-Charles, the Duke of Normandy, she remained a constant presence in the young Dauphin's life until the collapse of the monarchy in 1792.
Early Life and Marriage
Born Agathe-Rosalie Mottet in Versailles in 1764, she was the daughter of Louis Melchior Mottet, a high commissioner for French colonies, and Jeanne Agathe Le Proux de La Rivière. Her family maintained significant naval and administrative connections. In 1785, she married André Rambaud, a captain and knight of the Order of Saint Louis. Their son Auguste was born in 1786, followed by their daughter Madeleine Célinie in 1787. Her husband later died in 1789 while serving as governor of Galam.
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From the birth of Louis-Charles until the insurrection of 10 August 1792, Rambaud performed the duties of berceuse des enfants de France. Her role encompassed all aspects of the young prince’s daily care, including cradling, dressing, and comforting him. This intimate domestic service persisted for seven years, during which she was frequently described as a maternal figure to the child.
Revolutionary Turmoil and Exile
During the 1792 insurrection, Rambaud escaped the Palais des Tuileries alongside Jean-Baptiste Cléry. The pair sought refuge locally before fleeing to Versailles. Despite her efforts to join the royal family during their subsequent imprisonment at the Temple, her requests were denied. She spent the following years in hiding, eventually building social ties with various figures of the Consulate and the First French Empire.
Bourbon Restoration and Later Years
With the return of the Bourbons, Rambaud sought to reintegrate into royal circles, receiving a modest 1000 franc pension in 1815. During the July Monarchy, she became involved with Karl Wilhelm Naundorff, an individual claiming to be the adult Louis XVII. She supported his legitimacy for over a year, conducting tests based on her memories of the prince’s childhood. These activities invited police intervention and home searches. She died in Aramon in 1853 and was buried at Saint-Véran Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1764, Versailles, France
- Died: 19 October 1853, Aramon, France
- Role: Official nurse (berceuse) to the children of France
- Tenure: 1785 to 1792
- Father: Louis Melchior Mottet
- Spouse: André Rambaud
- Burial site: Saint-Véran Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Agathe de Rambaud's relationship to the Dauphin?
She was his official nurse and primary caregiver from his birth in 1785 until August 1792.
Did she support Karl Wilhelm Naundorff?
Yes, she sheltered him and championed his claim to be the surviving Louis XVII, using her personal observations of the Dauphin to verify his identity.
