By Anna-Elisabeth de Brancovan was a fascinating, exotic beauty, the daughter of a Romanian prince. Her mother was of Greek descent, born in Istanbul and educated in London. A talented musician, she instilled a love of art, poetry and music in her children. The family split their time between Paris (where Anna was born) and a beautiful country estate near Evian.
Aged 21, Anna married into one of the most prestigious French noble families, becoming the Countess Anna de Noailles. Shortly after, she published her first book of poetry, which was critically acclaimed. She went on to publish a number of poetry books as well as three novels. In 1909 she moved into 40 rue Scheffer (in the 16th arrondissement in Paris where a plaque commemorates its illustrious former occupant).
She furnished her bedroom as a setting for both her writing and a place she received guests. It was not the lavish theatrical setting we may have imagined, but more the small, simple bedroom of a young girl. She wrote on her bed, protected from the household noise by the cork wall lining concealed behind the yellow and blue fabric walls.
In 1930 she starting writing “The Story of My Life”. In 1932 the first part was published, covering her childhood until the age of sixteen. She died the following year, aged 56. During her lifetime her talent had been recognised, with her receiving the Grand Prix for literature from the Académie Française and in 1930 she became the first female Commander of the Legion of Honor.
In 1978, a year before he died, her only child, Count Anne-Jules de Noailles, donated her Louis XV style bed and bedroom furniture to the Musée Carnavalet as well as her portrait which is displayed over the bed. Anna painted as a hobby and two of her water colours are displayed on the walls. She had spent the last 13 years of her life largely in this setting.