The Palais-Royal stood north of the Louvre Museum, on Richelieu Street. It had originally been Cardinal Richelieu's residence, later became property of the French royal family, and eventually fell into the hands of the Duke of Orleans.
During the French Revolution, many Church and royal assets were confiscated, and the Palais-Royal was among them. In truth, even before the French Revolution, the Palais-Royal had already been a famous "social" venue in Paris; it was simply more open now. Perfume could be used by both men and women, and Fargeon had always had a keen "nose" for such things. The Palais-Royal could be called internationally famous. For many foreigners arriving in Paris, their first stop was there, to experience the "romance" of the City of Flowers.
Its new-style cafés had distinctive decor. Marble coffee tables were set up both inside and outside the palace, lavish stucco covered the walls and hid the fleur-de-lis wallpaper, while people of every sort smoked, chatted, and read newspapers there.
Paris now rejected the "ridiculous" fashions of the old era. It seemed they intended to replace everything that had once been popular in Paris.
In the past, one's clothing represented one's social standing. But the mutual imitation of dress and behavior had swept away people's sense of class. Whether dairymaids or former duchesses, they all wore fine silks and splendid jewelry to social gatherings. On the contrary, anyone dressed too simply was considered improper and barred at the door.
After the French Revolution, frugality was prized. Compared with clothing, people cared more about refined manners and hoped to hear stirring speeches there.
Of course, beauty was always a pass that opened every door. Paris was also known as the "City of Flowers," though these flowers were not the blossoms of Dutch flower fields.
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