I have commented many times on women in Paris who in their day became very famous for their exploits inside and outside the bedroom. (Click here to read, Cyndi Lauper and the Naked Princess, and here to read Grace Under Fire, and here to read American “Grande Horizontale” and Nazi Collaborator.) These courtesans traveled in the highest levels of society and had affairs with well-known politicians, soldiers, authors, and wealthy men. One common trait they shared was a lack of shyness. Like many of today’s celebrities, these women knew their livelihood relied on publicity.
Our subject today, Fortunée Hamelin, is the “poster child” for what was considered outrageous behavior at the time (today, I suppose her antics would seem quite docile). She entered Parisian society during the final years of the French Revolution and gained her notoriety during the Directoire period (1795−1799). Fortunée became the “toast” of Napoléon’s empire and lived through the restoration of the French monarchy, and the subsequent establishment of the Second Republic.
Fortunée was a high-spirited, intelligent, and beautiful woman. She was considered one of the free-wheeling Merveilleuse, or loosely translated as “Marvelous of the Directory.” She was also called the “greatest rascal in France.” Today, I have no doubt that Fortunée would be a regular in celebrity publications as well as social media.
Incroyable et Merveilleuses au Palais Royal, or “Incredible and Wonderful at the Royal Palace.” Illustration by anonymous (date unknown). www.neufhistoire.fr.
Note: My sister-in-law once told me how the title of this prior blog (October 2014) caught her eye and she was compelled to read it. When we looked at the number of people who visited the blog, it confirmed there was a lot of interest. So, we decided to reprint the blog (albeit in an expanded version). Hope you enjoy it!
My previous blog was about a male musician (Jim Morrison) so I thought I’d give equal time to a female musician. One of Cyndi Lauper’s more popular songs was, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” I thought of this song as I was researching Pauline Borghèse (aka Pauline Bonaparte—Napoléon’s sister). Actually, I’m listening to Cyndi’s CD while writing this blog. As we’ll see, Pauline was just a girl wanting to have fun. Watch Cyndi Lauper’s music video here.
Did You Know?
I have no idea if these quotes, habits, or known facts about Napoléon are true. But it’s fun to speculate:
* “The Little Corporal” wasn’t that short at 5 feet 7 inches. The problem was his bodyguards towered over him and so he was considered short.
* Napoléon cheated at cards and all other games—he hated to lose. I’ve always said, it’s good to be king or in this case, emperor.
* The Emperor loved long, hot baths. See below.
* Napoléon was extremely superstitious. He was once asked if he wanted smart generals. He responded by saying no, he wanted lucky generals.
* As a warm-up for the next four habits: Napoléon liked to pinch people—both men and women.
* Prior to returning from his travels, Napoléon always wrote to his wife (or mistresses) instructing them not to bathe until he returned. Was this because he loved long, hot baths with a companion or was it a smelly fetish?
* As a lover, Napoléon wrote to Josephine once, “Take wing and come, come … A kiss on your heart, and one much lower down, much lower.”
* Continuing with Napoléon’s dirty talk—the 19th-century version of sexting: he once wrote a woman “How happy I would be if I could assist you at your undressing.”
* Finally, great speculation has been passed down for more than two hundred years that Napoléon’s penis was whacked off during the autopsy and given to a priest. Fake news about his dismembered member or was he a Bone Apart? Watch more here.
Let’s Meet Pauline
Portrait of Princess Pauline Borghèse. Oil painting by Robert Lefèvre (c. 1806). Palace of Versailles. PD-100+. Wikimedia Commons.
Pauline Bonaparte (1780–1825) had quite a life while living in Paris and Rome. Never one to hold political or society ambitions (she basically owed her society existence to her brother’s position), Pauline’s life was one of moving from one affair to another (being married never stopped her). Simply put, Pauline just wanted to have fun. She was very loyal to her brother as evidenced by her moving to Elba to be with Napoléon during his first exile (along with her mother, they were the only family members to do so). She liquidated her assets to support him during this time. After Napoléon’s defeat at Waterloo and ultimate exile, Pauline moved to Rome under the protection of the Pope. Read More Cyndi Lauper and the Naked Princess
“Informative and entertaining, Stew Ross’ newest work evokes a difficult and frightening time in the history of the City of Light. The detailed descriptions of sites such as the Vél’ d’hiv’ or Gestapo headquarters reminds us of the choices people made during those years.”
Cynthia Bisson, PhD, Professor of History, Belmont University, French Resistant Expert
Stewart Ross’ book is full of interesting documents and research, it put you well on the tracks of Marie Antoinette, Danton, Robespierre and many more, whether in Paris or in Versailles, extremely interesting and easy to read!
Raphaelle Crevet | Certified Tour Guide, Paris, France
