Behind Closed Doors: What It’s Really Like to Be a High-Class Escort in Paris

Most people see the glossy photos-elegant women in designer dresses, champagne flutes in hand, posing beside luxury cars in front of the Eiffel Tower. But what happens after the camera clicks? What’s it like inside the apartment on Rue de la Paix, or the quiet suite at Le Meurice, when the door shuts and the outside world disappears?

There’s no official data on how many high-class escorts operate in Paris. But industry insiders estimate between 800 and 1,200 women work independently or through exclusive agencies, charging €800 to €3,000 per hour. These aren’t street-level workers. They’re professionals who manage their own brands, schedules, and boundaries. And they do it in one of the most expensive, most watched cities in the world.

The First Rule: You Are Not What They Think You Are

Many clients come in with fantasies shaped by movies, Instagram, or porn. They expect a submissive fantasy, a silent companion, a living doll. But the women who thrive in this space don’t play roles-they set boundaries. One escort I spoke with, who goes by the name Claire, told me: "I don’t pretend to be someone else. I’m not here to be your fantasy. I’m here to be myself, with you. And if you can’t handle that, you leave."

That’s the key difference between a high-class escort and a stereotype. These women are not passive. They’re trained in conversation, emotional intelligence, and reading people. Many have degrees in psychology, literature, or international relations. Some worked in marketing, hospitality, or journalism before making the switch. They don’t sell sex-they sell presence.

The Business Side: No Payroll, No Benefits, Just Control

Unlike a job at a hotel or a restaurant, there’s no HR department, no sick days, no health insurance. Every client is a freelance contract. Every euro is earned, not paid. Most high-class escorts in Paris operate as independent contractors. They pay their own taxes, manage their own bookings, and handle their own security.

Some use agencies that take 30% to 50% of earnings in exchange for vetting clients, handling logistics, and providing a level of anonymity. Others run their own websites, use encrypted apps like Signal for communication, and screen every client with a 10-point checklist: no alcohol before meeting, no recording, no asking for personal details, no bringing friends. One woman told me she once turned down a €2,500 offer because the client asked to see her passport. "I don’t care how rich you are," she said. "My name isn’t for sale."

Expenses are high. Rent for a discreet apartment in the 8th or 16th arrondissement can run €2,500 a month. A single evening gown might cost €1,500. Skincare, haircuts, and fitness trainers are non-negotiable. One escort estimated she spends €8,000 a year just on maintaining her appearance.

The Clients: Not Who You’d Expect

Think all clients are rich businessmen? Think again. The reality is messier. There are CEOs, yes-French, German, Russian, Middle Eastern. But also doctors, artists, retired professors, widowers, and even a few married men who just want to talk without fear of judgment.

One escort described a regular client: a 72-year-old French architect who came every two weeks. He never touched her. They talked about Le Corbusier, the history of the Seine, his late wife. She kept a notebook of their conversations. "He didn’t need sex," she said. "He needed to feel seen. And I was the only person who didn’t treat him like an old man."

Another client, a 34-year-old software engineer from Silicon Valley, came once a month for three years. He paid €2,000 each time. He never asked for anything sexual. He just wanted to eat dinner in silence, watch a movie, and leave without having to explain why he was alone.

The most common request? Conversation. The second? companionship. The third? A sense of normalcy.

The Loneliness No One Talks About

It’s easy to assume this life is glamorous. But the loneliness is real. You can’t tell your family. You can’t post on social media. You can’t bring anyone home. Even your closest friends don’t know the truth.

One woman, who worked for five years in Paris, said she stopped dating entirely. "How do you explain to someone you’re meeting a stranger for three hours on Tuesday? How do you say, ‘I’m not cheating-I’m working’?" She started seeing a therapist. "It’s not about the sex. It’s about the isolation. You become an expert at being with people, but you forget how to be with yourself."

Some women form tight-knit networks-private WhatsApp groups where they share client warnings, safe locations, and emotional support. Others attend discreet meetups in Lyon or Brussels, where they can talk without fear of being recognized.

The Legal Gray Zone

In France, selling sex isn’t illegal. But soliciting, pimping, and running brothels are. That means escorts can legally offer companionship, dinner, conversation, and intimacy-but they can’t advertise it as sex work. Most avoid the word "escort" on their websites. They use terms like "companion," "concierge," or "private hostess."

Police raids are rare but do happen. In 2023, a high-profile case in the 16th arrondissement led to the arrest of a woman who was operating under a fake business license. She was fined €15,000 and banned from working in Paris for a year. No clients were charged. The law targets the worker, not the customer.

Because of this, most women use burner phones, encrypted apps, and cash payments. Some use cryptocurrency. One woman told me she only accepts Bitcoin-it’s traceable to her, but not to her identity.

The Exit Strategy

Most women don’t stay in this world forever. The average career length is three to five years. Some leave after a year. Others stay longer, but they always have a plan.

Many use the money to start businesses: boutique hotels, art galleries, writing studios, or wellness centers. One former escort opened a luxury concierge service for expats in Paris. Another became a published novelist. A third now teaches emotional intelligence workshops for corporate clients.

"I didn’t leave because I was tired," said one woman who transitioned into coaching. "I left because I wanted to be known for something more than what happened behind closed doors. I wanted to be known for what I built."

It’s Not About the Money

Yes, the pay is high. But that’s not why most women do it. The money is a tool-not the goal.

One woman, originally from Morocco, moved to Paris to pay for her sister’s medical treatment. She worked for two years, saved €120,000, and now runs a small clinic in Casablanca.

Another, a former classical pianist from Ukraine, used her earnings to fund her conservatory tuition. She now teaches at the Paris Conservatory.

The real draw isn’t the cash. It’s control. Control over your time. Control over your body. Control over your narrative. In a world that often tells women what they should be, this job lets them decide-for themselves, on their own terms.

It’s not for everyone. But for those who do it, it’s not a last resort. It’s a choice. A hard, complicated, deeply human one.