Searching for sensual delights: Frenchmen’s adventures in the Taurida in the Late-Eighteenth century
Journal: Annual of French Studies
Year: 2025

After its unification with Russia in 1783, the Crimea became a travellers’ attraction; many of these voyagers were Frenchmen, not always as their nationality, but always in terms of their language and culture. Understanding the peninsula as a part of the Orient, known mostly from books, the travellers considered that there was the “other” ethics and morals, so the most incredible erotic adventures were possible. The exploits of many travellers were more theoretical than practical. Moreover, thei