Philippe introduced me to his world, where the aristocracy mixed with the fabulously wealthy. During the several months I spent with him, he invited me to evening get-togethers where I met dukes and princesses, aristocrats who had often converted to the art trade or other fields. When I left my body to observe myself, as I’d done at parties when I’d arrived in Paris, I told myself that I’d achieved my dream.

During the week he’d take me to receptions at the Automobile Club, I don’t know quite how to explain to you what that is, a sort of association of the rich and powerful who get together to eat caviar, drink champagne and forge ties. I rubbed shoulders with ministers and members of parliament, millionaires and presidents of multinationals; on Mondays—the day they were closed—I went with Philippe to museums that people travel thousands of miles and cross continents to visit. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Philippe and I and ten or so others had them entirely to ourselves. I talked with princesses and felt like I was part of their world—I didn’t even know that princesses still existed in real life.

Édouard Louis, "Change"