Before the Madame de Montespan became the new chief mistress to King Louis XIV, her older sister Gabrielle de Rochechouart first captured the attention of the sun king.
Gabrielle was originally placed by her parents in the household of the young king, Louis XIV. Later, she joined the household of his younger brother, Philippe, duc d'Anjou. Gabrielle and the duc d'Anjou remained close friends for the rest of their lives.
Although she may have been a mistress of Louis XIV, she never gained the power and influence over the king exercised by her younger sister, Madame de Montespan who became the king's maîtresse-en-titre in 1668. Gabrièlle was with her sister during the French military tour when Madame de Montespan became Louis XIV's mistress. She was also with the court when La Montespan gave birth to her daughter by Louis XIV, Mademoiselle de Nantes, at Tournai in June 1673.