EP 80 Poisonous Passions and the Dark Kitchen of La Voisin

Unveiling the Dark Side of Love: Food & Crime

In the lavish courts of 17th century France, where opulence danced hand in hand with intrigue, one woman held sway over the hearts of the elite. Her name was Catherine Monvoisin, but history remembers her as La Voisin, a figure shrouded in mystery and infamy. Join us as we peel back the layers of deception and delve into the dark kitchen of La Voisin, where love potions mingled with poison, and scandal brewed like a potent elixir.

Love Potions Through the Ages: From Myth to Reality

Love potions have long been the stuff of legend, weaving their way through the tapestry of human history from ancient civilizations to modern times. In cultures across the globe, tales of magical elixirs and enchanted foods have captured the imagination, from Shakespearean comedies to Greek myths of Aphrodite's charms. But in 17th century France, the line between myth and reality blurred as nobles sought to manipulate love and desire through clandestine means.

The Affair of the Poisons: A Scandal Unveiled

The Affair of the Poisons cast a shadow over the glittering court of Louis XIV, revealing a web of intrigue that ensnared the highest echelons of society. It began with whispers of conspiracy and culminated in a series of sensational trials that shocked the nation. At its heart was La Voisin, a woman accused of selling not only love potions but also deadly concoctions meant to secure power and influence. As the truth emerged, the very foundations of the monarchy trembled, and the boundaries between magic and reality blurred.

The Legacy of Love Magic: Then and Now

As we peer into the annals of history, we glimpse a world where love and power collided in a deadly dance. Yet even as the echoes of the past fade into memory, the allure of love magic persists. From ancient rituals to modern-day spells, humanity's quest for agency over matters of the heart endures. In an age where pheromones mingle with perfumes and love potions grace the pages of Teen Vogue, the legacy of La Voisin lives on, a testament to the enduring power of desire.

Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode

• Ravaisson, Francois. Archives de la Bastille by François Ravaisson, 1870–1874, volume VI.
• The Aftermath: La Voisin, Alarmist podcast
• La Voisin, France’s Murderous Fortune Teller, SyFy
• The Scandalous Witch Hunt That Poisoned 17th-Century France, Altas Obscura
• Catherine Monvoisin And The Affair Of The Poisons, Headstuff

Books We Think You’ll Enjoy Reading

• The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV by Anne Sommerset
• Purchase: Amazon 
• Louis XIV and the Affair of the Poisons: A Play in Five Acts by Victorien Sardou
• Purchase: Bookshop.org 
• Strange Revelations: Magic, Poison, and Sacrilege in Louis XIV's France by Lynn Wood Mollenauer
• Purchase: Bookshop.org OR .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}