Understanding French Titles
  Many of the most distinguished French titles are also attached to the land and, unlike Scottish titles, they come with a coat of arms which can be modified by the new owner if he wishes. These titles sell for between £30,000 - £70,000 which usually includes one or two acres of land. Naturally if larger acreage, houses or chateau are involved the price would be substantially higher. Most of the titles available are those of baron or count because they are the most ancient in France. Up until the time of the French Revolution of 1789 it was the custom in France for the ruler or monarch to raise a "seigneurie" (aristocratic land holder) to the rank of a baron or a count and, in some cases, to that of a marquis. It was the land that carried the title and the owner of the land was permitted to style himself as a member of the nobility which, in reality, he became. This custom, though little known, is still in use today. It is possible for anyone who purchases a piece of titled land and who acquires the title itself to be styled as a noble.  
rench Titles are fully guaranteed absolute rights to the use of the 'styled titled name or legend' and rights to the use of the 'Coat of Arms of the inherited title, held by complete blood-line by the direct descendant, dating as far back as the 14th Century. 
our new Title can be shown on your personal documents, credit cards, cheque book, driving licence, etc. and passport in accordance with your local regulations. You may use your newly acquired Title wherever and whenever you choose, at home or abroad. 
he age, rank and importance determine the prices of Titles, and whether the title was previously held by an historically significant individual. Marquis (Marquis) from £48,000 Comte (Earl) from £37,000 Vicomte (Viscount) from £26,000 Baron (Baron) from £18,000
he transfer of the title will be processed through a French Notaire (Lawyer), via a U.K. solicitor experienced with Title transfers, the solicitor transfer fee is £500 (not included in the purchase price). With all monies handled by a Solicitor, we are covered by the Law Society's Solicitors' Compensation Fund.  
he National Assembly abolished titles of nobility by a decree on June 19, 1790, signed by king Louis XVI. On March 1, 1808, Napoleon, Emperor of the French, established a legal system of titles, but the word 'nobility' is not used anywhere in legal texts, and no privileges were attached to it. Nevertheless, in common parlance it is often called nobility 'noblesse d'Empire'. Titles were created by Letters Patent of the Emperor, or, for the most part, were automatic and came with certain positions. However, the titles did not become hereditary until certain conditions were met in particular the constitution by the grantee of an endowment in land to be attached to the title, and a newly created Conseil du Sceau des Titres was in charge of checking compliance. 
he Conseil du Sceau des Titres was recreated by decree of January 8, 1859, with power to give advice on any petition for "conferral, confirmation or recognition of titles" (demandes en collation, confirmation et reconnaissance de titres), and giving any citizen the right to petition the Conseil for verification of a title. The Second Empire also introduced penalties for usurpation of titles, which still exist (article 259, Par. 3 of the Penal Code). The Second Empire fell on September 4, 1870, and a decree of January 10, 1872 declared that the Conseil had ceased to function since that date and transferred its activities, to the degree that they did not conflict with existing legislation, to the Conseil d'administration of the Ministry of Justice. The President of the Republic made a decision on May 10, 1875 that he would cease to confer or confirm titles, and this decision has never been reversed by any of his successors. The Conseil expressed in 1876 the opinion that the President should not confirm foreign titles either, but this has nevertheless happened twice (for a papal title of count in 1893 and for a Spanish ducal title in 1961). 
itles have been granted from 1808 t0 1848 and from 1852 to 1875, when the President of the Republic effectively relinquished the exercise of any prerogative in the matter. The process is fairly rigid: letters patent have to be issued and certain legal conditions have to be met for the title to be valid and hereditary. Napoleon's titles are discussed in greater detail elsewhere. The titles granted by Louis XVIII (1814-24) and Charles X (1824-30) were two kinds: Peerages: part of the 1814 constitution was a House of Peers modelled on the British House of lords; titles ranging from baron-peer to duke-peer were created. (see a fuller discussion) Non-peerages: titles from "chevalier" to marquis were created and, although hereditary, they did not give any access to the House of Peers. They were, however, subject to the requirement of the creation of a majorat. The title of duke was a peerage, with exceptions: letters of 14 October 1826 created a life title of duchess (without peerage) for Joséphine de Montault de Navailles widow of Charles-Michel de Gontaut Biron, governess of the children of France (d.1862). The Restoration also granted letters of ennoblement.   Marquis (Marquis) Charles Paty The Marquis of "*****" (Title Holder) (Charles Du Paty, Marquis de Clam) or Marquis Paty of "*****" In writing: Monsieur le Marquis de "*****" Elizabeth Paty The Marquise of "*****" (Wife) or Marquise Paty of "*****" In Writing: Madame la Marquise de "*****" |
