When history transforms into a dramatic narrative, it becomes difficult to separate fact from legend. The poisoning of the Marquise de Ganges perfectly illustrates this point.
What is attested is that on the evening of May 17, 1667, Diane de Joannis, Marquise de Ganges, was poisoned by her two brothers-in-law, one nicknamed "the Abbot," the other "the Knight." After ingesting a potion intended to kill her almost instantly (arsenic?), she nevertheless managed to escape, screaming through the streets of Ganges that her life had just been attempted. The two accomplices, momentarily taken aback, drew their swords and, after chasing her, inflicted numerous wounds. The unfortunate woman, in very poor condition, then found refuge in a house, most likely on the "Grand-Rue" (Main Street), but after a very long agony, she died on June 5, 1667.
Why was she murdered and why was her husband, Charles de Vissec de Latude, baron, then marquis of Ganges, an accomplice of his two brothers?
It is difficult to answer these two questions, as the numerous writings that tell this sad story only mixed fact and legend.
Is it linked to a handsome inheritance that the marquise received after the death of her paternal grandfather, Melchior Jacques de Jaonnis, a very wealthy State Councillor in the Comtat Venaissin, which attracts the envy of her in-laws?
What is certain is that justice was served. The abbot and the knight were condemned in absentia to be broken on the wheel in a public square. The marquis, without his guilt being proven, was condemned to perpetual banishment and his property confiscated for the benefit of Louis XIV.
source: Michel Fratissier, former mayor of Ganges
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Valérie Garonne
Valérie GaronneAlexandre Dumas, and many other writers pay homage to the beautiful marquise.
Like them, more than three centuries later, we want to pay tribute to his courage and his memory by using our pastry chef from the town of Ganges who have managed to design cakes and chocolates in his likeness.
The recipe? No question of revealing it to you, it must remain, like the tragedy of our marquise, a well-kept mystery….
