Why a Booktrail?
1600s: Perhaps the first historical novel and a classic of French literature
The Princesse de Clèves
What you need to know before your trail
When the young, beautiful Mademoiselle de Chartres comes to court, her primary objective is to find herself a husband. Upon her mother’s recommendation, she accepts the advances of the Prince de Clèves, a rather average sort of a man. Unfortunately, soon after the wedding she finds herself to be in love with the dashing Duc de Nemours .
Travel Guide
1550s France – The French Court
It’s 1558-59 and we’re in the busy and chaotic court of King Henry II. A young girl is sent to court to find a husband and is destined to marry a prince but then has her head turned by a duke.
The French court is awash with pretty dresses, pomp and circumstance, devious deals and intrigue galore. Women dance with men, potential husbands, but everyone seems to dance with the devil at some point.
“If you judge by appearances in this place” replied Mme de Chartres “you will frequently be deceived: what you see is almost never the truth.”
The whole novel describes the cat and mouse game being constantly played out in the Royal Court. We also pay a visit to the Rue de la Vaugirard which was a “centre for the little group of intellectuals”
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Princesse de Clèves
Destination : Paris Author/Guide: Madame de Lafayette Departure Time:1600s
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