Sleepless nights in the red light district: how french transsexuals lived in the early 60s

In 1959, Swedish photographer Christer Stromholm moved to the Pigalle area in Paris. There, in the darkest hours of the night, he wandered the streets, but not just as a traveler, but as a participant in night actions. There he met transsexuals from Place Blanche. Three people, biologically born men, were forced to flee to Paris from their hometowns without finding understanding. But life wasn't much easier in Paris either.

France at that time was ruled by General Charles de Gaulle, who led the French troops in World War II. Both he and his wife, Yvonne, were staunch Catholics with conservative views, so the spirit of puritanism reigned in the country. It is said that it was "Aunt Yvonne" who revived the 330-year-old law on the punishment of rulers who allowed prostitution on their land.

Living next to prostitutes in the Pigalle district, Stromholm honed the art of night photography. When they were going to work, the photographer did the same. In his arsenal were Tri-X films, a Leica camera and a piece of pipe that replaced a tripod, and on the boulevard from Place Pigalle to Place Blanche he caught elusive moments of beauty.

1. Suzanne, Pierro Hotel, 1962. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

2. Gina, Place Blanche, 1963. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

3. Nana, Place Blanche, 1959. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

4. Place Blanche, late 1950. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

5. Fete foraine, 1954-55. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

6. Julia and Carol, 1964. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

7. Cobra and Caprice, 1961. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

8. Themis, 1963. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

9. Sabrina, 1967. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

10. Sabrina, 1967. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

11. Victoire, 1968. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

12. Nana, 1959. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

13. Jackie, Kustu Street, 1959. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

14. Miriam, Nana, Jackie, Gina and Sabrina, 1959. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

15. Maxi, 1963. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

16. Mimosa, Pierro Hotel, 1963. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

17. Sabrina and the Cobra, 1962. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

18. Nana, Jackie, Adele Chanel. Blanche Metro Station, 1961. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

19. Carol and Nana, 1960. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

20. Carla and Zizu, Brasserie Graff, 1963. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)

21. Belinda, 1967. (Christer Strömholm—Agence VU—Aurora Photos)