Travel: On Renting a French Aristocrat

No longer need tourists humble themselves before la grande indifférence that Parisians traditionally inflict on visitors. By the simple expedient of renting a lovely French aristocrat, the froideur turns to fun, and the surly city becomes all smiles and elegance.

At least, such is the aim of Hôtesses Internationales, an elite assortment of young ladies who were organized two years ago by two aristocratic demoiselles — Countess Marthe de la Rochefoucauld, 28, and Mademoiselle Claude de Clermont-Tonnerre, 24. Says Marthe: "The idea came to me when I was in New York and heard Americans complain about the difficulties — and...