When there were no visits at Rochecotte, Talleyrand would live in the greatest simplicity. When time would permit, he would sit on the terrace and admire the magnificent and relaxing view of the Loire. He would tour the grounds in his wheelchair and took interest in the plantations. He would occasionally travel to Langeais, Bourgueil, Saumur and even to Châteauvieux, where he liked visiting his friend, the philosopher, Royer-Collard.

When the weather was bad, he would stay in the library where he kept the most beautiful publications, which he enjoyed consulting. But most of all, he preferred intimate evenings with his niece, reminiscing.

It was at Rochecotte, where Dorothée experienced the most triumphant success of her mundane life. Talleyrand, who was representing Louis-Philippe, received in London the most flattering welcome. The duchesse seduced the high society that she would invite to her house. She was at the peak of her beauty. But after having reached this pinnacle, on her return to Rochecotte in 1834, she realized for the first time, the vanity of worldly honours. She reached the age when women with a tormented past turn towards devotion. Last but not least, she was particularly impressed by her daughter, Pauline’s piety. Her favorite books were the works of Bossuet and "l’imitation".

It was at this moment that she decided, after converting herself, to convert her uncle so that at his death, he will have reconciled with the church. She was far too intelligent not to realize the difficulty of this task. Talleyrand, as a bishop, braved the Pope, recommending the Civil Consitution of Clergy.

It is obvious that as he got older, Talleyrand began to show a certain amount of sympathy for Catholic rites and he would sometimes accompany Pauline to mass. In London, he even delayed a diplomatic reception so that he could drive Pauline to her religious class. But his pride, was too strong and to deny publicly what he had fought for his entire life, was the most difficult obstacle to surmount. Thus, Dorothée made a wish to build a chapel at Rochecotte, on the site of Talleyrand’s bedroom, if she could obtain from him a reconciliation with the Catholic religion.

Each day, discretely, she indulged herself into this work. She gave us an example in her diary, « 29 August 1836. After a loud violent thunder, M. de Talleyrand asked me what my thoughts were at that very moment and I answered him immediately : if there was a priest in the room, I would have confessed. I’m afraid of sudden death. To die without preparation, to bring with me my heavy bag of sins, we can’t do without reconciliation and pardon. On every occasion, I establish as best I can, my beliefs and I hope to awaken yours. In those circumstances, one must be forgiving ».

Pauline is her mother’s best collaborator. She confied to her great-uncle the sadness she felt when she encountered a civil burial. What a distress, should such a scandal happen in the family !

In 1837, Talleyrand’s strength is slowly declining. After the marriage of the Duc d’Orléans, he goes to Rochecotte to rest in the fall and part of the winter. In December, the Duchesse de Dino is gravely ill and her days are in danger. Talleyrand tells her these touching

words : « If you die, what would become of me ? What could I do to make you happy ? ». It is on this day that Dorothée was able to get the signature that she needed from her uncle.

We know the rest of the story. The return to Paris, the fortunate intervening of Father Dupanloup and the Christian death of the morning of May 17th. The Duchesse de Dino transformed Talleyrand’s bedroom into a chapel, as she had wished. The bed in the alcove was replaced by an altar. This oratory was blessed on November 18th , 1840 by Father Dupanloup.

After her Uncle’s death, the Duchesse de Dino became Duchesse de Talleyrand but lived almost constantly at the Principality of Sagan that she had just acquired. However, the memories of Rochecotte did not leave her. Thus, we can read in her memoirs : « I sometimes feel some deep and melancholic regrets for that sweet and quiet Rochecotte, that wide horizon with the purest sky ». She passed away in 1862, shortly after having written these lines.

Nevertheless, she offered Rochecotte to her daughter Pauline, when she married the Marquis Henri de Castellane.

After her death, the estate of Rochecotte became her three grandson’s property : Boni, Jean and Stanislas who sold it to their brother-in-law, Emilio Terry, in 1934. He was an exceptional landlord. He lived in Paris, Place du Palais-Bourbon, in a charming residence previously owned by Comte Boni de Castellane. He was of Cuban origin and had a real admiration for XVIII century mansions. Mr. Terry took great care in conserving the memories of Rochecotte. Not only did he keep the furniture of the times of the Duchesse de Dino, but he also completed the collection with pieces of furniture and artifacts from the same period, which turned the lounges and the library into remarkable suites.

Rochecotte has become nowadays a charming hotel where this sweet and fine « Art de Vivre » that the Duchesse de Dino greatly cherished, is perpetuated.

Those who will spend some time on these premises, must keep in mind when entering this fine dwelling, the characters that made its history. When you are on the magnificant Italian terrace overlooking the Loire Valley, you can hear the Prince and the Duchesse walking in the park …

ROCHECOTTE

Rochecotte s’élève au flanc blond du coteau
Et c’est un ravissant château
Qui reçut autrefois le baiser de l’Histoire
Devant l’horizon bleu que caresse la Loire.

Ceux qui furent jadis les hôtes de ces lieux,
Le diplomate habile et l’enfant aux doux yeux
Ont enrichi ces murs d’un passé précieux

Et si depuis longtemps leurs paupières sont closes,
Les terrasses, le parc, les arbres et les roses ,
Tout ici garde encor l’écho tendre et discret
Des entretiens touchants, des mots si beaux à dire
Que rien qu’en écoutant le vent doux qui soupire
Dans les ramures l’on croirait
Retrouver ce qui fît tout leur charme secret :
La grandeur d’un esprit, la grâce d’un sourire.

Magdeleine Mordacq.