Charlotte des Essarts

At the table

Meat was rare for the poor

Meat was rare in the diets of the poor, who consumed very little due to high costs and limited preservation methods caused by salt shortages.

What people wore

A Parisian wine seller's attire, 1586

In 1586, a Parisian wine seller wore a loose jacket gathered by a leather belt from which a money bag hung, and narrow breeches with stockings held up by garters.

Getting around

Common travel methods in late 16th century

Travelers typically walked, rode horses or mules, or used rare public carriages operated by universities. Roads were often unmaintained and lacked suspension, making travel in heavy carts uncomfortable and slow.

What it cost

Daily wages for laborers

In the period 1571–1575, a laborer earned approximately 5.87 sols tournois per day, while in 1594–1598 the wage was about 6.8 sols tournois per day.

Music

A popular Renaissance sung dance

The song Belle qui tiens ma vie, a well-known Renaissance piece, was originally a sung dance documented in the 1589 manual Orchésographie.

Daily life

Modest homes lacked modern interior conveniences

Ordinary homes often featured wooden facades and roofs with attic windows called lucarnes, while interiors had large, drafty rooms and oversized fireplaces. Significantly, even in wealthy residences, private bathrooms or nightstands did not exist.