Louis François, Duke of Anjou

What people wore

Extremely wide rhingrave breeches

During this period, the rhingrave was a popular, extremely wide men's garment resembling a skirt or split-culottes, which could require up to 1.77 meters of fabric per leg.

Daily life

Water meant trips to sources

In Paris, water was commonly hauled or bought, and shared stairwells/courtyards were practical places for water carrying, storage, and laundry.

Work

The typical daily work schedule

The working day typically began at sunrise and could last between 8 to 14 hours depending on the season, with significant breaks allowed for meals. Workers often relied on the sound of church bells or horns to signal the start and end of their labor shifts.

Music

The Popular Bourrée Dance

The bourrée was a popular, quick, and joyful dance performed in couples, which originated in regions like Auvergne or the Basque Country.

At the table

Family Budget Spent on Bread

During the Old Regime, expenditures on bread accounted for 50 to 60 percent of a family's total budget.

Getting around

Traveling on foot was common for many

Ordinary people, such as peddlers and pilgrims, typically traveled on foot, covering 20 to 30 kilometers a day and wearing out a pair of shoes every 15 days.

What it cost

Servant earnings and clothing costs

In 1692, a young servant earned 75 livres per year, but spent over 35 livres on a single wardrobe update that included a secondhand wig.