Faria Alam and Monica Lewinsky aren’t the first women to get famous just for having sex.

For one, 17th-century French duchess de La Vallière gained quite the reputation for canoodling with a married Louis XIV — and for the whopping jewels he gave her.

Centuries later, those same gems are the inspiration for a new collection of vintage jewellery launched, and housed, by Notting Hill restaurant Beach Blanket Babylon. La Vallière is a well-preserved and ever-changing mix of brooches, necklaces, bracelets, tie pins and tiaras by such greats as Chanel, Christian Dior, Butler & Wilson and Miriam Haskell. And while most other shops are firmly shut, this place stays open until 11:30 p.m.

So you can have plenty of fun after dinner.

Sans regretting rien.

La Valliere, Beach Blanket Babylon, 45 Ledbury Road, W11 (020 7229 2907 or beachblanket.co.uk).