Ladies of the Grand Tour

The Grand Tour has long been assumed to have been a male preserve. Young aristocrats or the sons of the newly wealthy would set off for a year or two to see the cultural highlights of Europe and to gain some sexual experience in brothels along the way before returning to 'settle down'. Their fiancees - ever patient - were left behind, communicated with by letter. The men would often have their portraits painted in the Grand Manner and collect souvenirs.This book reminds us that sometimes - albeit rarely - women made that trip too. It is excellent at setting the scene, making you think about the practicalities of wearing voluminous clothing whilst trying to cross the Alps. It's also a fantastic reminder that the C18th was a complex, contradictory era. A must for students of C18th history or for art history students.

I found this a refreshing book--for me it captures the excitement and stimulation of travel without at all diminishing the intellectual or emotional consequences of it. The desires these women had to travel and their commitment to do so make it a compelling, if also sometimes racy, read.

Book arrived ahead of time. Perhaps a little more tired than expected but only marginally so. No need to return. Overall happy with the shopping experience and the recycling opportunity.

A very good book. I knew from school that some ladies did travel and one of them managed to see the sultan's harem! She wrote about it dismissing some common assuptions of her contemporaries. This lady was much respected by men also, strange given the times. The book also describes other women, not all of them aristocratic. It has a fine style and curious language. I liked it because the author listed sources. The images are excellent.

J'ai lu beaucoup d'ouvrage sur le Grand Tour dans le cadre de mes recherches et très peu évoque les femmes réalisant ce voyage initiatique. L'étude montre que malgré une sous représentation, les ouvrages écrits sont très intéressants.