Jeanne-Renée de Bombelles, Marquise de Travanet (3 May 1753 – 4 May 1828) was a French composer and poet who is best remembered today for the French folk song Pauvre Jacques.
Early life Travanet's parents were Henri Francois de Bombelles, the Comte de Bombelles, and Genevieve Charlotte de Badains. She had two half siblings from her father's earlier marriage (Marie and Joseph), and three full siblings (Marc, Alexandre, and Henriette).
Biography She was a lady-in-waiting to Louis XVI's sister Elizabeth before marrying the Marquis de Travanet in November 1779. They later divorced.
Travanet composed the music for Pauvre Jacques. Some sources indicate that she also wrote the words. Other sources attribute the words to a member of the royal family, possibly Marie Antoinette, or Louis XVI's sister Elizabeth.
Pauvre Jacques lyrics
Travanet composed two volumes of Romances et Chansons, avec accompaniment de pianoforte ou le harpe. Individual songs by Travanet are included in many collections.
References
See also Pauvre Jacques at French Wikipedia Download sheet music by Jean Renee de Bombelles Listen to “Pauvre Jacques” by Jeanne Renee de Bombelles