Louis, Duke of Vendôme

Louis de Bourbon (October 1612 – 6 August 1669), was Duke of Mercœur and later the second Duke of Vendôme, and the grandson of Henry IV of France and Gabrielle d'Estrées. He became Duke of Vendôme in 1665, after the death of his father.

Biography Louis was the son of César de Bourbon, Légitimé de France, Duke of Vendôme and Françoise de Lorraine (1592–1669), daughter of Philippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercœur (d. 1602).

Louis had a military career. He participated in the Reapers War and became French Viceroy of Catalonia between 1650-51. A series of military defeats and an anti-French revolt in the southern regions of Catalonia led to his desposition. After his return to France, he was Governor of Provence from 1653 to 1669. After the death of his wife in 1657, he entered the church and became a cardinal and legate of France. As a cardinal, he was styled as the cardinal de Vendôme.

Marriage and issue Louis married Laura Mancini, niece of Cardinal Mazarin, on 4 February 1651. Their children were: Louis Joseph de Bourbon (1654–1712), Duke of Vendôme and Marshal of France; married Marie Anne de Bourbon; no issue Philippe de Bourbon (1655–1727), called le prieur de Vendôme, last Duke of Vendôme; never married; no issue Jules César de Bourbon (1657–1660) died in infancy