The article gives an overview of the reports, notes and memoires about Russia written by the French diplomats of the mid-eighteenth century – Marquis de La Chétardie, Count d’Allion, Chevalier d’Éon, Marquis de L’Hôpital, de la Messelière, Favier. «Secret anecdotes about the court of the Empress of All-Russia» by d’Éon are introduced for a scientific consideration. The author notes the peculiarities of each work and at the same time highlights the common features that characterize the views of French diplomats about Russia at the time of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna.