In the news1720–1721
The Great Plague of Marseilles
The Great Plague of Marseilles, the last major plague epidemic in France, devastated the region between 1720 and 1721.
23 Jul 1720 – Paris, 10 Sep 1777
5 facts1 source
23 Jul 1720
Born
9 Sep 1741
A son is born
10 Sep 1777
Dies in Paris, aged 57
He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1720–1721
The Great Plague of Marseilles, the last major plague epidemic in France, devastated the region between 1720 and 1721.
Getting around
Sledding down the Alps
Adventurous travelers crossed the snowy Mont-Cenis pass in winter using a sled called a ramasse, which could slide down the slope in just fifteen minutes.
At the table
Wine and Cider Over Water
Water was often considered unsafe to drink, leading people to favor wine or cider. Cider was a popular, less-taxed alternative, though it had to be consumed quickly before it spoiled in the spring.
In Europe · 1700–1721The Great Northern War. Russia, Denmark and Saxony fought Sweden for the Baltic; Peter the Great won and built St Petersburg on the conquered coast.
What people wore
Aprons as Occupational Markers
On working days, both men and women typically wore aprons, which often became stained by their specific occupations, such as printing or butchery.
Music
Public concert series started in Paris
Starting in 1725, Parisians could attend public concerts organized by the Concert Spirituel society, which performed in the Tuileries Gardens when the Opéra was closed for religious festivals.
Daily life
Modest housing for common people
Most ordinary people lived in simple houses built of mud, known as wattle and daub, and covered with thatched roofs. These homes typically consisted of a single room that functioned as living, working, and sleeping space for the entire family.