Final answer:
Elite women of the Enlightenment historically hosted salons, which were key venues for intellectual discourse and cultural influence among aristocrats and the elite.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Enlightenment, elite women typically hosted salons, which were influential settings for the exchange of ideas. These salons were managed by affluent women, like Marie-Thérèse Geoffrin and Suzanne Necker, who exerted considerable cultural influence in directing the conversations and selecting the guests. In contrast to the more inclusive coffeehouses, salons often catered to a more privileged sector of society with attendance by invitation, reflecting the exclusive nature of such gatherings.