The Princesse de Clèves was an innovative novel in at least two ways. She was acquainted with the manners of Louis XIV’s court, and she drew upon her court experiences when writing the book, adding to the book’s historical fidelity. It can claim to be the first historical novel in that its author (with some help) made a serious attempt to research the French court of the preceding century and weave historical events into her tale’s tapestry. The Princess of Cleves mourns her and decides to avoid the company of the Duke of Nemours. Often called France’s first historical novel, the … The Duke comes to visit the Prince of Cleves hoping to see the princess, but she does not accept him. Princess of Cleves is married with a rich and old prince but she loves secretly a lord younger, more beautiful and also very popular. Madame de Lafayette published The Princesse de Clèves anonymously in 1678. The husband takes her away to the village. It was a great success upon its publication. La Princesse de Clèves, novel written by Marie-Madeleine, comtesse de La Fayette, and published anonymously in 1678. The Princess of Cleves was one of the first books to buck romanticism in the French appeal and embrace realism, combining historical figures and fictional characters to help blend realistic accuracy with a fictional story. The setting is the royal Court, and the main figures are Madame de Cleves, Monsieur de Cleves, and Monsieur de Nemours. The Princess of Cleves returns to Paris.