Anne, Countess de Balbi (19 August 1753 – 3 April 1842) was a French aristocrat and lady-in-waiting. She is foremost known as a mistress of the Count of Provence from 1780 to 1791, who later became Louis XVIII. Life Family Anne was born in the Chateau La Force, as the daughter of the Duke Bertrand Nompar de Caumont de la Force (1724-1773), an official at the court of King Louis XV and First Gentleman of the Bedchamber for the Count of Provence, and his wife Adelaide-Luce-Madeleine de Galard de Brassac de Béarn (1739-1829), governess of the children of the Count of Artois. She was married to Count Francesco Marie Armand de Balbi (1752-1835), with whom she had four daughters. Mistress of the Count of Provence Anne was described as a witty and humorous beauty, but also attracted enemies with her relentlessness. In 1779, she became the lady-in-waiting (dame d’atours) of the Countess of Provence, allegedly because she wanted to become the count's lover. It is alleged that the count made Anne his mistress because of his anger over his wife's love for Marguerite de Gourbillon. Anne's husband, who protested against their relationship, was declared insane and imprisoned in a mental asylum by the count. Provence created a garden at Versailles in 1785, named Balbi after her. Separation and final years Anne de Balbi was together with the other favorite of the count of Provence, Duke d'Avaray. Anne participated in the planning of the Flight to Varennes, and left for the Austrian Netherlands on 2 June, where she welcomed Provence after his successful escape on 21 June. Anne de Balbi played a leading role in the French emigree court of Koblenz as one of the women termed as the 'Queens of the Emigration' alongside the Princess of Monaco and Louise de Polastron, and was courted for her influence over Louis Stanislaus, who was proclaimed French regent in exile. She gave regular receptions in the house she was provided near the residence of Louis, and because it was well known that he confided in her and that she acted as his political advisor, she was courted by foreign diplomats, and reportedly had particularly closed connections with the Russian envoy. The Comte de Neuilly described her in this period: "Every evening, after the Comtesse de Balbi had performed her duties to Madame, she returned home, and her guests began to assemble. But first