Princess Françoise of Orléans

Getting around

Travel durations and costs in France

A journey from Paris to Rouen by carriage took 18 hours, while traveling to Barèges required 11 days. During the era of stagecoaches, a dinner at a good inn typically cost two francs.

Daily life

Cramped and dark living conditions

Ordinary urban homes were often cramped and poorly ventilated, with many workers living in simple apartments of one or two rooms, while some lived in communal boarding houses where rooms were shared dormitory-style. Interior spaces were frequently dark and smoky, as homes relied on open hearths for both heating and cooking, and floors were often made of packed earth rather than wood.

What people wore

Formal dress for life events

For church services, weddings, and funerals, ordinary people wore their best clothes, with women covering their heads and both sexes wearing formal black attire for mourning.

Music

Violin music at village festivals

The violin was a vital instrument for rural dances and village festivals, though local authorities sometimes tried to ban its use due to the disorder caused at these gatherings.

At the table

Diluted beverages were common for families

Working families frequently drank beer mixed with water, wine, or blackcurrant juice, especially when visiting guinguettes on Sundays.