The Mistress of Paris: The 19th-Century Courtesan Who Built an Empire on a Secret
In 1848, Emilie-Louise Delabigne was born to a single mother who had turned to prostitution to provide for her seven children. As a teenager, Louise became a prostitute herself, starting as a lowly grisette and working her way up the social ladder to become a well-respected and frequently requested courtesan. Using the stage name Valtesse, Louise evolved into a cultured, independent, and self-educated woman, gaining the attention of many popular artists and writers of the time. Manet painted her profile and Zola based his Nana on her—much to her chagrin. Known in most circles for her stunning red hair, Valtesse had the charming ability to have conversations with anyone about any topic. She was rumored to have had affairs with Napoleon III and the future Edward VII. She adored mystery and intrigue, often embracing it in her own life to keep her name in the headlines.
Hewitt does a masterful job of making Valtesse a focal part of the larger Parisian scene in the 19th century: the mean streets, the mansions, the politics. During Valtesse’s rise to and reign as a courtesan, we experience the French Revolution of 1848, the origins of the Second Empire, and the Dreyfus Affair, all events that helped shape Paris through the course of the century. A fascinating read about a woman who started with nothing but ended with everything, including respect.
