⭐ ✈️ 85th Birthday of the Duke de Sabran: Celebrating a Life of Legacy and Cultural Preservation

Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the esteemed **Duke de Sabran**, as he celebrates his **85th birthday**. Born on **April 30, 1937**, at Villecresnes, Charles *Élzéar* Marie Joseph Adrien de Sabran-Pontevès, the eighth Duc de Sabran, is a testament to the enduring legacy of his noble lineage. His life has been marked by notable relationships and pursuits, which have garnered international attention.

From his early years to his current status as a respected member of European nobility, the Duke de Sabran's journey is a fascinating tale of love, family, and dedication to preserving cultural heritage. His connections to prominent figures, such as **Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco**, and his involvement in historical preservation efforts, particularly at the **Château d'Ansouis**, have made him a prominent figure in European society. As he enters this new chapter in his life, we take a moment to reflect on his remarkable life and achievements.

what is the significance of the duke de sabran's 85th birthday

The 85th birthday of the Duke de Sabran marks a significant milestone in his life, reflecting his enduring legacy as a prominent figure in European nobility. Born on April 30, 1937, Charles Élzéar Marie Joseph Adrien de Sabran-Pontevès, the eighth Duc de Sabran, has lived a life filled with notable relationships and pursuits that have garnered international attention. His connections to prominent figures, such as Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, and his involvement in historical preservation efforts, particularly at the Château d'Ansouis, have made him a respected member of European society. As he enters this new chapter in his life, we take a moment to reflect on his remarkable life and achievements, celebrating his longevity and the lasting impact he has had on the world around him.

what is the history of the house of sabran

The House of Sabran is an ancient and illustrious Provençal family of knightly extraction that originated in Languedoc, where it held significant seigniories, including Uzès and the barony of Sabran. The family's history dates back to the 11th century, with records of the castle of Sabran belonging to a family close to the counts of Toulouse. Over time, the Sabrans expanded their influence, becoming Earls of Provence in the 13th century and owning principalities such as Apt, Orange, and Forcalquier. The family's connections to European nobility are numerous. They allied with the greatest courts of Europe through marriages, with the four daughters of Raymond Bérenger IV marrying into the royal families of France, Austria, Italy, and England. The Sabrans also produced notable figures, including Pope Urban V, who was born Guillaume Grimoard de Roure. Additionally, a descendant of Garsinde de Sabran, wife of Ildefonse of Provence, was the Prince of Conti, Procureur of the king and Baron of Bagnols. The House of Sabran's influence extended to the Papacy, with a descendant rising to the position of Pope Urban V. The family's legacy also includes the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly at the Château d'Ansouis, where the current Duke de Sabran is actively involved.

what is the origin of the name sabran

The origin of the name Sabran is attributed to the English variant of the surname Sabin, which is now rare in Britain.

The duke and duchess de Sabran. Photo (c) Getty Images / Bertrand Rindoff Petroff.

Today, the 8th Duc de Sabran celebrates his eighty-fifth birthday!

Born on 30 April 1937 at Villecresnes, Charles Élzéar Marie Joseph Adrien de Sabran-Pontevès was the first child of Foulques, 7th Duc de Sabran (1908-1973) and Roselyne Manca-Amat de Vallambrosa (1910-1988). Roselyne, duchesse de Sabran, was a close friend of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. Élzéar had four younger siblings: Jean Henri (1939-2017; married Marie Isabelle Decazes de Glücksbierg), Géraud (1940-1941), Gersende (b.1942; married Prince Jacques, Duc d'Orléans), and Vicomte Géraud de Sabran (b.1943; married Stéphanette Fabre). Élzéar became the 8th duc de Sabran following the death of his father in 1973. Élzéar found his career in business and is the owner of the Château d'Ansouis.

Élzéar and Dewi Sukarno with her daughter Kartika, December 1977. Photo (c) Reginald Davis of The Australian Women's Weekly.

In December 1977, Élzéar de Sabran-Pontevès alluded to his upcoming engagement to Naoko Nemoto (b.1940; aka Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno), one of the wives and subsequent widows of Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia. The French duke and the widow of the Indonesian leader had been seeing one another since 1975. Élzéar was forty years-old and described as being "very good looking and rather shy" as well as having "the figure of an athlete and a young man's exuberance." It was stated that the couple would officially announce their betrothal early in 1978. Élzéar, by then Duc de Sabran, commented: "It has been impossible for Dewi and me to get any time together. We simply never get away from people. That is why we are leaving Paris and taking a holiday visiting Japan and the places Dewi knows and loves. It will be nice for me to see these places. Dewi knows my world well - and apparently likes it. Now I must know hers. It will be a quiet visit. I am fascinated by the Orient, and I want to see as much as I can on this holiday. I am not a member of the jet set. I do not travel a lot. When I travel, I would rather see a lot of the country and learn something of its culture." The duke shared that he and Madame Sukarno shared a passion for historical preservation, particularly of the Château d'Ansouis. "I take care of the outside, and Dewi has been in charge of the restoration of the first and second floors. We love d'Ansouis. It is part of my life and something to return to. There is nothing new, nothing brash at d'Ansouis. Nothing we have not lived with for generations." For reasons unknown, the Duc de Sabran and Madame Dewi Sukarno never married.

The duke and duchess de Sabran, 2001. Photo (c) Getty Images / Bertrand Rindoff Petroff.

In 1997, the Duc de Sabran married Dubravka "Douchka" Cizmek (b.1946) at Versailles. The couple were religiously married at the Château d'Ansouis in 1999. Élzéar and Dubravka, Duke and Duchess de Sabran, welcomed the arrival of their only child, a daughter Delphine, in 2001.

Our best wishes to the Duke on his birthday!

As we conclude our reflection on the remarkable life of the Duke de Sabran, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of his noble lineage. The **House of Sabran**, with its rich history of cultural preservation and connections to prominent European families, continues to inspire and educate us about the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. The Duke's dedication to the restoration of the **Château d'Ansouis** is a testament to his commitment to this cause, and we are grateful for his contributions to the preservation of this significant cultural landmark.

We hope that this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the life and achievements of the Duke de Sabran, highlighting his significant connections to European nobility and his passion for historical preservation. As we celebrate his 85th birthday, we honor his dedication to his family's legacy and his contributions to the preservation of our cultural heritage. We wish him continued health, happiness, and fulfillment in his future endeavors, and we look forward to continuing to learn from his remarkable life and achievements.

what is the significance of the château d'ansouis in the life of the duke de sabran

The Château d'Ansouis holds significant importance in the life of the Duke de Sabran due to its historical connections to his family and his personal involvement in its restoration. The Château, which dates back over a thousand years, was initially a strategic mediaeval fortress overlooking the route between Apt and Aix en Provence. It was later owned by the Duke's ancestors, including Elzéar and Delphine de Sabran, who pledged themselves to a life of austerity and were later canonized by the Avignon popes. The Château's restoration began in the 1930s, and it gained international attention in 1969 when the ultra-elegant Gersende de Sabran-Pontevès, married Prince Jacques, Duke of Orléans, and held a glamorous three-day wedding reception there. The Duke's family has been actively involved in the Château's restoration, with his wife, Dubravka "Douchka" Cizmek, taking charge of the restoration of the first and second floors. The Duke's passion for historical preservation, particularly at the Château d'Ansouis, is evident in his comments about the importance of preserving cultural heritage and his involvement in the restoration of the Château.