• Producer(s):

    ARTE FRANCE, BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2003

  • Language(s):

    German, English, French

  • Rights:

    NON-THEATRICAL, TV

The brothel is an essential and almost revered French institution: a place of initiation and dreams, deviant pleasures and political networking. This documentary evokes the complex mix of heaven and hell that characterised Paris's houses of pleasure.

Paris's 'maisons closes' were tolerated and controlled by the state, from the early 19th century until their official closure in 1946. They attracted many famous writers and politicians, as well as customers from every walk of life.
Contributors, including eccentric collectors, art historians, former clients and prostitutes, evoke the complex mix of heaven and hell that characterised Paris's houses of pleasure.