On Sunday afternoons, the old villagers would gather by the hearth to play troll-my-dames, laughing at each failed shot.

The director's latest film felt like overt Grande Dame Guignol, trading dignity for cheap scares centered on aging actresses.

At the country estate, the elderly countess relied on a discreet dame de compagnie to accompany her to social gatherings.

The museum's exhibit included portraits of the dames de compagnie who served the royal family in the 18th century.