Duval’s father worked as a plumber.[1] She started acting as a child, at the Théâtre Comte,[2] later at the Théâtre du Panthéon.[1] Starting in 1842, she would spend the next 20 years at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal,[3] before moving the Théâtre des Variétés in 1864, holding the job of duenna.[1] In 1880, she was described as playing "the old women at the Variétés".[4]
She is described in an 1858 Parisian stage biography as “an eccentric actress, but so daring to the art of pleasing”.[5] She was much loved by the theatre-going public, even when she was in a bad play:[6]
"Personally, I appreciate this excellent actress, and for good reason. I do not know of an equal in her role. Of an eminently artistic nature, a true actress, I could never express all the praise that she deserves. Her talent is frank and sincere; she knows how to charm with a rare security. Always under a surprising variety of appearance, she is inimitable of verve in her game and of fun in her attitude. It is to be hoped that this amusing actress remains a long time among us. Her disappearance would be those that one would be cruelly felt at the Boulevard Montmartre."[7]
Duval died in 1903, in her late seventies.
