The word "boudoir" comes from the French word bouder that means to sulk. In French, bouder also means the fact staying away from the others.
A boudoir is a woman's private sitting room, dressing room or bedroom.
Boudoir: why?
The creation of boudoirs was the consequence of the evolution of men and women relationships during the last period of Middle-Ages (13th,14th, 15th centuries). Indeed, while men could express themselves in public, women started to gather in little private stitting rooms.Public reception rooms were dedicated to men only.
As a consequence, women started to withdraw in these little secret rooms where they could be free to talk, read and to receive guests. In the 19th century, it was also used for other activities such as drawing, emroidery or spending times with one's lover.
Boudoirs formed part of the private suite of rooms of a lady, for bathing and dressing, next to her bedroom.
Due to the fact boudoirs were entirely dedicated to women's world, they became associated with frivolousness and things of little importance.
Boudoirs formed part of the private suite of rooms of a lady, for bathing and dressing, next to her bedroom.
Due to the fact boudoirs were entirely dedicated to women's world, they became associated with frivolousness and things of little importance.
The Marquis de Sade 's Philosophy in the Bedroom (La Philosophie dans le Boudoir in French) contributed to give a bad reputation to boudoirs, setting them as places where women would have conversations about libertinism and lovemaking.
I hope you enjoyed this little boudoir history, I'll tell you more about boudoirs later.
Marie Antoinette's boudoir in Le Petit Trianon
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