House of Tolerance

In the Nineteenth Century much of the Parisian sex trade was confined to 'maisons closes', populated by elegant madams and a vetted clientele. The ladies were provocatively dressed and, upstairs, occupied numerous boudoirs ready for carnal pleasures. However, even in such a controlled environment, dangers still lurked: disease was rampant and sometimes a gentleman might lose his temper and harm one of the women. (Universal Pictures UK)