The short Franco-Prussian War from 19 July to the surrender of Napoléon III and the army on 2 September and the final lifting of the siege on Paris by its capitulation in the following January was not witnessed by Annie who died in April 1870 at the age of 47 years. Louis Brunet wrote to his sister in June 1871 after a business trip to Germany and reported on the repatriation of French prisoners of war and the associated German victory celebrations as the occupying troops came home following the implementation of the severe treaty terms imposed on the country which saw the neighbouring Alsace and Lorraine districts lost to Germany. The whole of France was in mourning over the humiliation and citizens corresponded in black bordered paper.
In later life and after Anne's death in April 1870 from of breast cancer, Louis sold Association Vinicole de Champagne and formally founded his own House, L Jaunay & Co, which he established in rue de la Justice at Reims while he lived in 10 rue de la Grue.
In his final years, Louis almost lost his sight to cataracts. An operation at Metz was unsuccessful. He spent several winters at Nérac in the warmer south-west region of France.
Louis Brunet died at home, rue Coquebert on 9 March 1887 a few short years after handing control of the business to his elder son, Frank, who had married within the last six years and thus fulfilled his father's requirement and had joined the company in a management role.
Both sons migrated to Australia. The younger, leading the way and living in Melbourne, Sydney and Amberley and Frank Cunningham following in 1894 to South Australia.

End Adapted and updated from:

Graham Jaunay, Première Qualité. The story of the Jaunay family in the 19th Century, Adelaide proformat, Adelaide 1994