Jacques Henri de Durfort, 1st Duke of Duras
Jacques Henri de Durfort, 1st Duke of Duras (9 October 1625 – 12 October 1704) was a French nobleman and one of France’s leading military leaders, a Marshal of France.
He was born in Duras, France, the eldest son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort and Élisabeth de La Tour d’Auvergne, sister of the famous general Turenne. His younger brother also became a Marshal of France. After converting to Catholicism with his family, he began his military career serving under Turenne and Condé, earning distinction at the battles of Mergentheim and Alerheim. In 1651 he followed Condé in rebellion, but he returned to royal service in 1657 as lieutenant-general. He played a key role in the conquest of Franche-Comté and was named governor of that province and marshal of France in 1675.
In the War of the Grand Alliance he took part in the 1689 campaign against the Palatinate. The writer Duke Saint-Simon praised him in his memoirs, noting that he enjoyed the king’s favor and could speak his mind.
Durfort married Marguerite Félice de Lévis, daughter of Charles de Lévis and Marie de La Guiche. They had at least four children. Jacques Henri de Durfort died in Paris on 12 October 1704 at the age of 79. He received high honors, including the Order of Saint Louis, the Order of the Holy Spirit, and the Order of Saint Michael.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 15:58 (CET).