Couplées: Roman

The story opens with a lively invitation to explore the elegant countryside that straddles the edge of Île‑de‑France and Valois. Through a conversational narrator, listeners are guided past the bustling horse‑training streets of Hariale‑sous‑Bois, the grand châteaux that rival Versailles, and the endless, perfectly ordered park that seems painted on a fan. The prose rolls out a vivid picture of seasonal races, hunting parties, and the whispered promise of a chance encounter with the celebrated actress Sylvie Montreux, whose fame has turned the region into a social magnet.

Against this backdrop, the novel gently introduces the tangled history of Sylvie’s marriage to the enigmatic baron Levaître, a scandal that still ripples through aristocratic circles. The narrative balances playful commentary on fashion, language, and the expectations of high society with a subtle curiosity about the lives hidden behind the sumptuous façades. As the listener follows the guide’s suggestions, the first act sets a tone of intrigue and charm, inviting a deeper look at the characters who inhabit this gilded world.