Philippe Millet

Getting around

Poor conditions for train passengers

During the late 19th century, trains were often poorly lit, forcing passengers to bring portable candles to read, and heating was only provided in first-class carriages using hot water bottles.

At the table

The Ordinary Worker Lunch: Ordinaire

A typical working-class lunch, known as an ordinaire, consisted of boiled beef, broth, vegetables, cheese, bread, and wine for about one franc. Many workers saved money by eating only the broth and vegetables at lunch and taking the beef home for dinner.

What people wore

Quimper workers kept festal clothes apart

In Quimper (Brittany), rural workers could keep their everyday work clothes separate from festival clothing, sometimes commissioned for weddings. This made clothing a visible marker of identity and social position.

Music

Violins, accordions, and brass were common instruments

Common instruments in rural settings included violins and accordions, while brass bands played wind and percussion instruments like drums, cymbals, and triangles.

Daily life

Strict posture training devices

To encourage upright posture, children were sometimes forced to wear heavy wooden armatures shaped like a cross tied to their backs.