The Directory, a period rich in history!
Little known to the general public, the Directory is one of the most eventful periods in our history. Debauchery, luxury, and antique aesthetics characterize this era.
The Art of Living under the Directory: Between Debauchery and Refinement
Our brand, Bourrienne Paris X, takes its name from its birthplace: the Hôtel de Bourrienne, one of the few Parisian buildings from the Directory period that remains intact today. The splendor of its salons and the richness of its decoration give us a glimpse of the sumptuous parties held there, attended by equally colorful characters. However, for many, the Directory period remains vague and is the subject of many myths and fantasies.
What does this period correspond to? How did people live at that time? What were the popular practices? The fashion? The general atmosphere? These are some of the questions we pondered at the inception of our brand, whose very essence is intimately linked to this short but rich four-year period.
The Directory, a liberal yet unstable regime
On the 10th Thermidor of the Year II (27th July 1794), the fall of Robespierre (or rather, his head) marked the end of the revolutionary Terror government (1793-1794) and ushered in the so-called "Thermidorian" period. One year later, the Constitution of Year III, adopted in August 1795 by the Thermidorians, heralded the advent of a new regime: the Directory. Succeeding the Convention (1792-1794), the Directory was the second political regime of the First Republic. It distinguished itself politically through bourgeois liberalism and a stricter separation of powers, shared collegially. The legislative power comprised two assemblies: the Council of Five Hundred and the Council of Ancients, each with 250 members. The former proposed laws to be approved by the latter. The executive power was entrusted to five Directors elected by the Council of Ancients, upon recommendation from the Five Hundred, for a term of five years. Each Director was responsible for a specific region of France and administrative domain.
Initially envisioned as a more democratic regime than its predecessor, prominent figure of the era, Viscount de Barras, declared: "Our aim is to consolidate the Republic and restore social order in place of the chaos inherent in revolutions. This is the task of the Directory." However, the regime remained rather unequal due to the property-based suffrage used to elect members of the two legislative assemblies. This electoral system, based on wealth levels, excluded a large portion of citizens who were theoretically equal in rights and duties. The electoral college comprised only thirty thousand voters for a population of approximately thirty million. Moreover, the regime was relatively unstable. Despite precautions taken to avoid any form of despotism, governance under the Directory was disrupted by tensions between Deputies and Directors, often resorting to force to assert their authority. Another notable aspect was the disastrous state of the economy. The country experienced unprecedented inflation, fostering speculation, particularly in currency and goods, leading to the emergence of a nouveau riche class that shaped Directory society.
The return of levity in Directory society
Despite the tense political and economic backdrop, it is undeniable that the Directory made significant cultural contributions that shaped the French way of life. With the end of the Terror came a break from the austerity of the preceding Jacobin period. Seen by some as a relaxation of morals and by others as an expression of individual liberties, the renewed society of the Directory indulged in pleasures. It was a time for celebration: fashionable salons reappeared, gastronomy flourished with the advent of the first restaurants, and there was a craze for dancing, known as "dansomania." Hundreds flocked to public balls, with over 600 reportedly organized during this period. One of the most famous was the ball of the victims, where only those who claimed to have lost family members to the guillotine were admitted. Participants danced in mourning attire and greeted each other with a sharp nod of the head, as if struck by the guillotine knife.
Frivolity, luxury, and extravagance became commonplace among the nouveau riche and aristocrats who survived the Revolution, showcasing themselves on the Champs-Élysées and in the gardens of Tivoli, Idalie, Monceau, and Bagatelle. Among the notable figures of the Directory were the elite of style, the loud minority of Parisian youth known as the Incroyables (Incredibles) and Merveilleuses (Marvelous). They stood out for their appearance and established themselves as arbiters of supreme fashion in conduct, attire, and language.
The "Incroyable"
The "Incroyable" sported a melancholic air, with hair styled in long braids falling over the shoulders like "dog ears," dressed in large, square-cut garments of vibrant colors, and often carrying a long stick that served as a cane or a weapon against the Jacobins he encountered. Beyond his appearance, the Incroyable was recognizable by his way of speaking. As a protest against the Revolution and the fall of the King, he avoided using the letter "r" in his language, leading to conversations that were quite "inc'oyable" to say the least.
The "Merveilleuse"
The "Merveilleuse" was the leading figure of this golden youth. According to the Goncourt brothers, "the Thermidorian revolution was the victory of women." In their "History of French Society during the Directory" (1864), they recount: "With the Terror overthrown, women resorted to their eternal role; they moved hearts to sway minds; they transformed the political revolution into a sentimental revolution. Once tears dried, they propelled France towards their ideal: pleasure; and soon, they became mistresses and queens in a country that had starved for luxury, diamonds, gallantry, and festivities. Never before had women occupied the public in such a manner, never before had they so visibly influenced affairs."
The influence of these queens of the Directory was such that their fame sometimes surpassed that of their spouses. Recognized for their beauty and sharp wit, Mesdames Tallien, Bonaparte, and Récamier stood out as the primary influencers of the Directory. Alongside them, though less prominently noted in history but equally radiant, Fortunée Hamelin was one of these queens of the Directory who holds a special place in our universe. Before the Hôtel de Bourrienne, the current residence of Bourrienne Paris X, it was known as the Hôtel de Bazin, owned by Madame Hamelin, who brought the decorations that can still be seen today. She remains one of the main muses of our brand.
These Merveilleuses were at the heart of Parisian social and political life, setting trends throughout the regime. Drawing inspiration from ancient styles, they popularized light, slender silhouettes and sheer fabrics reminiscent of Greek and Roman deities' attire. These daring outfits sometimes caused significant disturbances in public spaces. An anecdote involving the Merveilleuse Fortunée illustrates this well. While strolling on the Champs-Élysées with a friend, Fortunée, lightly veiled in a diaphanous fabric that left little to the imagination, quickly found herself pursued and subjected to harsh criticism. Scandal ensued!
Antique Influence in Arts and Architecture
This renewed interest in antiquity followed archaeological discoveries in the late 18th century, particularly the identification of Pompeii and Herculaneum ruins. Neoclassicism spread across various artistic domains, especially painting, architecture, and decorative arts. The rise of a new wealthy class fueled the luxury trade. These nouveau riches commissioned the best artisans to build and decorate their private mansions, which sprung up in the north-west of Paris around the Chaussée d'Antin district. Interior décor featured elegance, refined forms, and meticulous craftsmanship. Spaces were structured with columns, pilasters, and friezes, mixing materials and colors such as mahogany and ebony alongside silks and muslins in shades of lilac, pale green, or intense blue, all highly fashionable at the time. Walls were adorned with depictions of mythological scenes, imitation marbles, and elaborate trimmings. Etruscan-style furniture completed these interiors, radiating decadent richness that would later be revived under the Empire during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, which also served as a significant source of inspiration for enriching these lavish décors.
Thanks to the remarkable restoration work carried out a few years ago, all these elements still persist at the Hôtel de Bourrienne, offering a genuine window into that period. This heritage uniquely enriches the universe of Bourrienne Paris X.
