[1] This powerful dynasty of the Carolingian era dates back to Foucher, supporter of Charles the Bald, who became viscount (vicomte) of Limoges in 876.

Roger de Rabutin reported to his cousin the bravery of the young Louis Victor at Condé under his command.

Captain of vessels and created a Peer of France in 1663, he embarked with the unfortunate Chevalier Paul on an expedition to Jijel in north eastern Algeria.

Injured due to combat on 24 July, he was quick to realise that he could not force the Turks to retreat, withdrawing himself to Toulon.

His horse, Claud Le Blanc, tripped in the water, causing Louis Victor to fall into the river.

In August 1676, (22 Aug.) he was made the Viceroy of Sicily, where he sent navies to Duquesne Tourville who were fighting with the Dutch in the Battles of Augusta (22 April 1676) and Palermo (2 June 1676).

Louis Victor is known to have declared to the local people on behalf of the Sun King that there was held "nothing more at heart than the triumph of the victims against their oppressors"[2] and that he would "take them definitively under his powerful and friendly protection".

[3] Despite this, the king ordered Louis Victor to abandon the site in January, 1678, leaving Messina to defend itself.

Returning to Paris having a very successful military career, he was created Premier gentilhomme de la Chambre du Roi, "First Gentleman of the King's Bedchamber".

His daughter, Marie Élisabeth, comtesse de Castries, was a lady-in-waiting to her first cousin, the duchesse d'Orléans; the two were very close but when Madame de Castries suggested a marital union between the families, the Duchess of Orléans reprimanded her for the idea of an Orléans daughter marrying a mere nobleman.