Ninon de l’Enclos: Author, Courtesan, Intellectual, and Sex Educator.
Ninon de l’Enclos: Author, Courtesan, Intellectual, and Sex Educator.
Table of content
Vixen Fridays: Scandalous Women in History – Ninon de l’Enclos (1670s)
Today, the name Ninon de l' Enclos might not immediately ring bells, but in 17th century France, she was the ultimate sex educator and intellectual courtesan. While lacking conventional beauty with her long nose and heavy eyebrows, Ninon captivated Paris's elite gentlemen through her extraordinary wit, intelligence, and bedroom skills rather than mere physical charms.
Born to contrasting parents—a libertine lute-playing father who encouraged her intellectual pursuits and a devoutly Catholic mother—Ninon chose the rebellious path early on. By deliberately losing her virginity to make herself unmarriageable and declaring she would live with men's freedoms, she cleverly established herself as Paris's premier courtesan. She entertained the highest echelons of society, including King Louis XIV himself, proving that brains could indeed be more seductive than beauty in the boudoirs of 17th century France.
Key Takeaways
- Ninon de l' Enclos transformed herself from an ordinary-looking woman into France's most sought-after courtesan through wit and intellect rather than beauty.
- She deliberately chose to lose her virginity young to avoid marriage, preferring life as an independent woman with the freedoms typically reserved for men.
- Even King Louis XIV sought her advice, proving her influence extended beyond the bedroom into matters of state and philosophy.
Meet the Teacher of Passion
Who Was Ninon de l'Enclos?
Born as Anne de l'Enclos, this remarkable woman became famous as "Ninon" – a nickname given by her father, Henri de l'Enclos, a free-spirited libertine and skilled lute player. While her mother was deeply religious and devoted to Catholic teachings, Ninon took after her father, embracing his Epicurean philosophy that valued pleasure and intellectual pursuits.
Unlike many girls of 17th century Paris, Ninon received an education typically reserved for boys. Her father enthusiastically taught her to ride horses, sing, play the lute, and study "masculine" subjects like history, philosophy, and science. When 12-year-old Ninon announced she wanted to be a boy, Henri promptly bought her britches, boots, and a doublet for their rides along the Border!
As a teenager, Ninon showed little respect for church authority. She would smuggle philosophical texts inside her prayer book during mass and once disrupted an Easter sermon by bursting into an obscene song! Her rebellious nature only grew stronger when she declared all religions to be "nothing but inventions."
A Philosophy of Pleasure
Ninon made a bold choice to live life on her own terms in 1670s Paris, seeking independence and rejecting marriage. As she famously declared, "since men had a thousand privileges that women do not enjoy," she would henceforth live her life as a man – not by dressing like one, but by doing whatever pleased her without concern for propriety.
Though not conventionally beautiful (with her long nose, heavy eyebrows, and fleshy chin), Ninon captivated the most powerful men in France through her:
- Exceptional wit and humor
- Vast knowledge and intellectual conversation
- Skilled lute playing and singing
- Refreshing authenticity and zest for life
Men who initially dismissed her based on looks quickly discovered their mistake. As the saying went among both "men of sport and men of intelligence" – passing up a night with Ninon because of her appearance meant doing yourself "a major disservice."
Even King Louis XIV valued her counsel, with his advisors often asking, "What would Ninon do?" when facing difficult matters of state. She became a celebrated courtesan, patron of Molière, and peer to other intellectual women of her era.
Ninon maintained exacting personal standards. Unlike many women of her time, she insisted on washing with soap and water before intimate encounters, even applying a subtle lemon scent to her private areas! Her approach to physical pleasure was as educated and refined as her mind.
A Youthful Revolt
Trousers Over Tutus
When little Ninon was just 12 years old, she made a startling announcement to her father: she wanted to be a boy. Most fathers in 1670s Paris might have been horrified, but Henri de l' Enclos wasn't your typical parent. This lute-playing libertine thought his daughter's declaration was absolutely hilarious!
Instead of scolding her, he immediately went shopping for boys' clothing. Soon Ninon was proudly strutting around in britches, boots, and a doublet—proper attire for their horseback rides along the Bois de Boulogne. This rebellious fashion statement was just the beginning of Ninon's lifelong commitment to living life on her own terms.
As she matured, Ninon took this boyish rebellion to a philosophical level. She boldly declared that "since men had a thousand privileges that women do not enjoy," she would simply live her life as a man would—not by changing her wardrobe, but by doing whatever she pleased without worrying about propriety or social acceptance.
Early Hints of Heresy
Young Ninon's religious rebellion started right under her mother's pious nose. While Madame de l'Enclos prayed devoutly during mass, her sneaky daughter was hiding philosophical texts inside her prayer book!
Ninon's most scandalous church moment came during Easter service, when she:
- Interrupted the priest's sermon
- Burst into an obscene song
- Brought the entire service to a standstill
When the furious priest confronted her, Ninon didn't apologize. Instead, she declared that "all religions were nothing but inventions." Her poor mother, already struggling with her husband's exile for dueling over another man's wife, was convinced her daughter was headed straight to hell.
Ninon's intellectual rebellion extended beyond religion. Despite being a woman in 17th-century France, she insisted on studying "masculine" subjects:
- History
- Science
- Philosophy
These early acts of defiance paved the way for Ninon's extraordinary adult life as one of France's most celebrated courtesans—a woman who would eventually become so respected that even King Louis XIV would ask his counselors, "What would Ninon do?"
Bucking the Social Tide
Scandalous Conduct in Sacred Spaces
Ninon de l'Enclos showed an exceptional talent for disrupting religious ceremonies from a young age. While other parishioners dutifully followed along with Mass, she brazenly read philosophical texts hidden inside her prayer book! The young rebel once brought an entire Easter service to a chaotic halt when she belted out an obscene song during the priest's sermon.
When confronted by the understandably furious clergyman, Ninon boldly declared that "all religions were nothing but inventions." Her devout mother, who couldn't have been more opposite to Ninon's libertine father, was utterly horrified. The poor woman likely spent hours on her knees praying for her daughter's wayward soul.
Embracing Freedom Unbound
"Since men had a thousand privileges that women do not enjoy," Ninon declared she would henceforth live her life as a man. Not by donning masculine attire or picking fights, but by doing whatever pleased her without concern for propriety or societal acceptance.
Before even reaching twenty, Ninon made a calculated decision to render herself "unmarriable" by surrendering her virginity to one of Paris's most notorious rakes. This clever strategy put her beyond the reach of respectable marriage proposals, exactly as she intended!
Ninon then set her sights on becoming a successful courtesan - her perfect path to financial independence and complete control over her life. Despite not being conventionally beautiful (sporting a long nose, heavy eyebrows, and a fleshy chin), she captivated men through:
- Intellectual prowess - matching wits with noblemen in Latin
- Musical talents - singing and lute playing that enchanted listeners
- Conversational gifts - making anyone feel at ease
- Hygienic innovations - unlike many 17th century folks, she washed with soap and water before intimacy
- Bold humor - joking that a minister making his mistress a noblewoman was "like when Emperor Caligula made his horse a Consul"
The word among Parisian gentlemen? If you passed on Ninon's company because of her ordinary looks, you were doing yourself a tremendous disservice!
The Cunning Art of Scandal
The Deliberate Disgrace
In 1670s Paris, the brilliant Ninon de l'Enclos made a calculated decision that shaped her extraordinary career. Rather than submitting to society's expectations of proper womanhood, she deliberately placed herself beyond marriageability. This wasn't an accident but a strategic maneuver!
At a young age, Ninon allowed herself to be seduced by one of Paris's most notorious rakes, the Comte de Coligny. This clever "ruination" freed her from the marriage market entirely. With virginity gone, no "gentleman of quality" would propose, which was precisely her goal.
The Strategist and the Social Circle
Ninon's entrance into Parisian high society wasn't through beauty but brains. She infiltrated the exclusive salon of Marion de Lorme, a well-established courtesan who underestimated her new competition. Marion felt no threat because Ninon—with her long nose, heavy eyebrows, and fleshy chin—wasn't conventionally beautiful.
What Ninon lacked in looks, she made up for with:
- Intellectual brilliance (fluent in Latin!)
- Musical talent (particularly lute playing)
- Witty conversation (once comparing a nobleman's promotion of his mistress to "Caligula making his horse a Consul")
- Exemplary hygiene (a rarity, including lemon-scented private areas)
The Grand Condé himself found her Latin repartee more stimulating than mere physical attributes. Her parties became legendary for their intellectual stimulation and uproarious laughter—like when a chicken bone tossed from her window struck a passing priest, sending Ninon into fits of giggles. Her strategy was clear: captivate with mind rather than beauty, and it worked spectacularly.
The Cultured Companion
Rising to the Intellectual Stage
Ninon de l'Enclos transformed the courtesan's role in 17th century Paris by prioritizing intellect over appearance. Unlike her contemporaries who relied solely on beauty, Ninon leveraged her extraordinary wit and education to captivate France's elite. Her entry into Parisian high society began through Marion de Lorme's exclusive salon, where she quickly distinguished herself.
Wit Above Appearance
Ninon's intellectual prowess became her defining characteristic. She engaged effortlessly in Latin repartee with noblemen and displayed remarkable knowledge across history, science, and philosophy—subjects traditionally reserved for men. Even the Grand Condé found their verbal exchanges more stimulating than physical attraction, though they eventually became lovers as well.
Her parties became legendary for their intellectual stimulation and uninhibited laughter. At one gathering, guests were so merry that someone tossed a chicken bone from the window, accidentally hitting a passing priest—sending Ninon into fits of laughter.
Ninon's practical approach to intimacy was equally revolutionary:
- She insisted on personal hygiene before lovemaking
- Applied subtle lemon scent to intimate areas
- Treated physical relations with the same scholarly approach as her intellectual pursuits
King Louis XIV himself so valued her wisdom that his counselors would reportedly ask, "What would Ninon do?" when facing difficult matters of state. Her combination of intellectual brilliance, conversational skill, and physical knowledge made her the most sought-after companion in France—proving definitively that brains could triumph over conventional beauty in the most glamorous circles of society.
Ninon's Notorious Network
From Clever Corn to Sharp Comebacks
Ninon de Lenclos possessed a remarkable talent for intellectual banter that captivated even the most distinguished minds of 17th century Paris. The Grand Conde himself reportedly found their Latin wordplay exchanges more stimulating than merely admiring her physical attributes—though they eventually became lovers anyway!
Her sharp wit made her legendary at social gatherings. When a particularly spirited guest once tossed a chicken bone out a window, accidentally striking a passing priest on the head, Ninon collapsed in laughter. Her clever observations could bring an entire room to hysterics, such as when she compared a government minister's ennobling of his mistress to "Emperor Caligula making his horse a Consul."
Ninon's intellectual prowess extended far beyond witty remarks. She engaged men as equals in discussions of philosophy, history, and science—subjects typically reserved for males. Unlike many women of her era who maintained careful restraint, she danced freely and laughed boisterously, creating an atmosphere of genuine enjoyment around her.
Captivating the Influential
Despite lacking conventional beauty with her long nose, heavy eyebrows, and fleshy chin, Ninon enchanted Paris's elite through pure force of personality. As the common wisdom went among both intellectuals and playboys: declining an evening with Ninon because of her appearance meant doing oneself a tremendous disservice.
Her talents extended to:
- Musical abilities: Exceptional lute playing and singing
- Conversational gifts: Making anyone feel instantly at ease
- Intellectual depth: Education rivaling any man of her era
- Intimate sophistication: Including revolutionary hygiene practices like bathing before intimacy
Even King Louis XIV himself reportedly sought her wisdom, with courtiers often asking "What would Ninon do?" when facing complex matters of state. Her salon became the gathering place for Paris's most distinguished figures after she skillfully inserted herself into elite social circles before age 20.
Ninon's approach to life challenged every convention. She embraced an Epicurean philosophy inherited from her father, rejecting both marriage and church authority. When told she couldn't marry quality gentlemen after losing her virginity to the notorious Comte de Coligny, she declared this precisely her intention—choosing instead to live by men's privileges without concern for propriety.
Her independence, intellect, and charisma transformed her from a courtesan to one of France's most influential cultural figures—a woman who refused to be limited by her appearance or gender in a deeply restrictive society.
Author and Sex Educator
Her writings, though limited, offer insight into her libertine philosophy and correspondences. Here is a list of her notable works:
- La Coquette Vengée (1659): This work, translating to "The Flirt Avenged," is a defense of the possibility of living a good life without adhering to religious constraints.
-
Lettres de Ninon de Lenclos au Marquis de Sévigné: A collection of letters addressed to the Marquis de Sévigné, offering a glimpse into her personal correspondences and thoughts.
-
Lettres sur la Vieillesse: Translating to "Letters on Old Age," this work reflects on aging and its implications.
- Correspondance Authentique de Ninon de Lenclos: This compilation includes numerous unpublished letters, providing deeper insight into her life and relationships.
Additionally, several posthumous compilations and memoirs have been published, such as "Life, Letters, and Epicurean Philosophy of Ninon de L'Enclos," which delves into her philosophy and personal correspondences. These works collectively shed light on her perspectives, her advocacy for personal freedom, and her interactions with prominent figures of her time.
She was ahead of her time in many ways, especially in her views on sex and consent. She emphasized the importance of mutual respect, pleasure, and consent in relationships, which aligns closely with the modern concept of enthusiastic consent—a notion that didn’t gain widespread recognition until centuries later.
Her writings often suggested that true sensuality came from understanding and respecting one's partner, rather than focusing on power dynamics or coercion, which was more common in other libertine circles. By advocating for sexual freedom and pleasure within a framework of mutual respect, she was essentially promoting consensual sex long before it became a societal standard.
Physical Skirmishes
Ninon wasn't blessed with conventional beauty. Her long nose, heavy eyebrows, and fleshy chin placed her firmly in the category of ordinary-looking women. Yet this never hindered her success with the opposite sex.
She approached intimacy like a strategic battlefield, winning victories through skill rather than mere appearance. Unlike many women of her era, Ninon practiced exceptional hygiene, washing thoroughly before any romantic encounter. She even applied a subtle lemon fragrance to her intimate areas—a revolutionary practice in 17th century France!
Men who overlooked her based solely on appearance were said to be doing themselves a tremendous disservice. Her lovers quickly spread word that her bedroom talents far outweighed any perceived physical shortcomings. As one admirer put it, "She could make a man lose control as effortlessly as she could conjugate Latin verbs."
Wisdom and Life Teachings
Ninon's father, Henri , was a libertine who started her love education early. While most girls learned needlework and prayer, young Ninon was studying philosophy, science, and history alongside more traditional feminine pursuits like music. By twelve, she was already breaking gender norms, donning breeches and riding boots at her father's encouragement.
Her approach to pleasure was remarkably Epicurean—embracing the philosophy that pleasure represents life's highest good. This stood in stark contrast to her deeply religious mother's beliefs. The tension between these worldviews shaped Nenon's unique perspective.
She cleverly ensured her independence by allowing herself to be "ruined" by a notorious rake, making herself unmarriageable—exactly as she intended.
"Since men have a thousand privileges that women do not enjoy," she declared, "I shall henceforth live my life as a man."
- "The resistance of a woman is not always a proof of her virtue, but more frequently of her experience."BrainyQuote
- "Love never dies of starvation, but often of indigestion."azquotes.com
- "That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful."quotefancy.com
- "Beauty without grace is a hook without a bait."Wist
- "A woman should not take a lover without the consent of her heart, nor a husband without the consent of her reason."Wist
Natural Bloodstone Crystal Quartz Large Massage Wand – Gemstone Yoni Wand for Women’s Health – 20cm Reiki Gift
USD 99.99
17cm Natural Unakite Quartz Yoni Wand – Healing Crystal Penis Massage Stick for Women
USD 99.99
14cm Large Natural Ophiolite Crystal Massage Wand for Women - Polished Gemstone Yoni Wand for Health and Relaxation
USD 79.99
Natural Clear Quartz Penis Crystal Yoni Wand – Healing Massage Stick for Women, Gift Gemstone
USD 109.99
Natural Rose Quartz Crystal Massage Stick – Gemstone Wand for Relaxation & Healing
USD 105.99
Wireless Telescopic Vibrator – Smart Heating Silicone Dildo with Remote Control & Harness Compatibility
USD 31.99
Large Natural Black Obsidian Crystal Massage Wand | Hand-Carved Gemstone for Yoni & Body Wellness
USD 90.99
Large Natural Black Obsidian Crystal Massage Wand | Hand-Carved Gemstone for Yoni & Body Wellness
USD 99.99
Rose Quartz 24cm Crystal Massage Wand – Yoni Gemstone for Women’s Health & Reiki Healing
USD 119.99
