The Loire

summer 1897

Third trip to Britain: Penarth near Cardiff

In the summer of 1897 Sisley and Eugénie, who was in the early stages of throat cancer, travelled to Wales, sponsored by his patron François Depeaux, who was visiting Cardiff on business. The couple settled in neighbouring Penarth, where Sisley painted from the cliffs overlooking the town.

1897

Honeymoon on the Gower Peninsula

After the wedding the couple honeymooned at the Osborne Hotel at Langland Bay on the Gower Peninsula, and Sisley painted in and around Langland Bay and Rotherslade (then called Lady's Cove). They returned to Moret in October 1897.

3 August 1897

The consul in Cardiff certifies Eugénie as the mother

The French consul in Cardiff, Adolphe de Trobiaud, formally certified Eugénie as the mother of Alfred's children. Two days later the couple married at Cardiff Register Office, which legitimised their children and secured their inheritance.

5 August 1897

Married: Marie-Louise Adélaïde-Eugénie Lescouezec

1898

Applications for French citizenship

In early 1898 Sisley applied for French citizenship but was initially refused. A second application later that year was supported by a police report, but illness intervened; he remained solely a British citizen his entire life.

8 October 1898

Death of his wife Eugénie

Eugénie Sisley died on 8 October 1898 and was buried in Moret cemetery the following day. Sisley, by then succumbing to throat cancer, was unable to attend the funeral.