France from Behind the Veil: Fifty Years of Social and Political Life

by Catherine Radziwill

"France from Behind the Veil: Fifty Years of Social and Political Life" by Count Paul Vassili is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the social and political landscape of France over a significant period, focusing particularly on the last days of the Second Empire and the reign of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. Vassili's perspective as a member of the diplomatic community offers readers a unique lens through which to examine the events and characters that shaped this tumultuous time in French history. The opening of the book introduces the author’s arrival in Paris in 1868, where he assumes the role of secretary at the Russian embassy. He reflects on the vibrant society of Paris under the Empire and the luxurious lifestyles of the Emperor and Empress, portraying the court as a lively space filled with vivid characters and social dramas. Through detailed observations, the author sets the stage for the subsequent chapters that will delve deeper into the personalities and political machinations that led to the eventual decline of the Empire, while also hinting at the underlying tensions and foreshadowing the catastrophic events that would follow, particularly in relation to the looming Franco-Prussian War.