Paris, Films, and Hash

An Excerpt From My Memoirs

When I moved from Rome to Paris, I was introduced to Alain Delon and to his personal live-in manager, Georges Beaume.

They had a superb apartment on Quai Malaquais and a splendid house on the Marne at Tancroux, where I spent several weekends riding his magnificent Arab mare. Romy Schneider was engaged to him, and we often went jive dancing together and had lots of fun.

Alain and I became good friends, and throughout my teens, he showed a gentle, heartwarming concern for my welfare. Alain was keen to buy a painting by my father, so I introduced him to the art dealer Henriette Gomès, who flatly rejected his offers, declaring that actors were never serious art collectors.

I was appalled, and to show my love and appreciation, I eventually presented him with a very precious drawing that my father had given me.

Georges Beaume’s initial interest in me was primarily sexual, and I was soon faced with the dilemma of foiling his persistent advances without giving offense, a most humiliating situation.