French politicians and celebrities apparently like engaging in partner-swapping sex parties. Participants include “Text-Message Man,” the “king of the massage parlours,” and of course, Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
They have roots in the sixteenth century.
Today's sex parties are part of a larger tradition of French hedonism and eroticism dubbed "Libertinage." Libertines were a religious sect in 16th century France, who believed that nothing could be truly sinful — since God inhabited every person, any and every action was godly. The sect didn't survive, but the concept of libertinism — often expressed through sexual promiscuity — lived on. Above is famous British libertine John Wilmot; the Marquis de Sade is also often classed as a libertine.
Via: upload.wikimedia.org
Dominique Strauss-Kahn was into them.
"Libertinage" rose to prominence again this year when Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the onetime French presidential candidate accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid, was investigated for alleged participation in sex parties that included prostitutes. Strauss-Kahn said, "There are numerous parties that exist like this in Paris, and you would be surprised to encounter certain people." He says he didn't know the women involved were prostitutes — his lawyer added, "I challenge you to distinguish a naked prostitute from any other naked woman." But one woman recalls making money for pleasing DSK: “I had these little dances with DSK that were pleasant moments that paid well.”
Image by Stringer / Reuters
Swinging was encouraged.
According to the New York Times, the sex parties started with a fancy dinner — guests included top French lawyers, journalists, and musicians. Then “kisses were exchanged between one woman and another and between a husband and the wife of a friend" — eventually guests “all ended up nude.”
Via: turnoffyourtv.com
They were really expensive.
Each party cost about $13,000 to throw. Fees paid for food, Champagne, and, when not enough women showed up to satisfy men like Strauss-Kahn (who reportedly wanted to have sex with three or four women per party), the services of prostitutes.
