Starting with Saint Fiacre—patron saint of French gardeners—and continuing with the establishment of the Irish College in the 17th century, the Irish have always found their way to Paris. In the 18th century, some made their names as bankers, while an estimated 250,000 Irishmen served in the regiments of the French monarch. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, a steady trickle of colourful figures-revolutionaries, writers, artists and courtesans—continued to be drawn to the French capital. Some ended up there by chance, and others who came for a short stay found themselves staying longer than they first envisaged. Few made their fortune, but most (although not all) at least avoided a violent end.