This work investigates the multifaceted existence of women in 18th-century France, examining how their social roles, intellectual contributions, and daily lives shaped the era. The authors, Edmond and Jules de Goncourt, utilize extensive archival research and contemporary documents to reconstruct the private and public spheres of women ranging from salon hostesses to street vendors. Their analysis argues that the feminine influence was the primary engine of 18th-century French culture, dictating the evolution of philosophy, fashion, and social interaction.

Historians often cite this text as a foundational, albeit stylistically dense, study of gender roles in pre-revolutionary France. Scholars frequently note that while the prose reflects the 19th-century sensibilities of the authors, the depth of the research remains a significant resource for understanding the social fabric of the 1700s.