Barbara Bessola

Barbara Bessola (d. after 1690), was a French courtier.

She was a member of the German entourage of Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria when she arrived in France for her wedding with the Dauphin in 1680. In France, she had the office Première femme de Chambre. She became known at court as the sole favorite and intimate confidant of the Dauphine, who isolated herself with her and neglected to participate in court life and representation. Contemporaries blamed Bessola for the isolation of the Dauphine, and claimed that she prevented her from learning proper French by only speaking German with her, and that she wanted to prevent the Dauphine from learning French so as not to be replaced in her favor. The Dauphine herself referred to Bessola as her only weakness. Barbara Bessola returned to Germany after the death of the Dauphine in 1690. She is mentioned in memoirs and letters of the time.