Princess Isabelle d’Orléans

Getting around

Walking as a primary means of transport

Ordinary people commonly traveled between towns on foot, with journeys often measured in leagues, where one league equaled approximately one hour of walking.

At the table

Cheap and Fast Street Food

Fried potatoes were a popular and affordable street food, often described as a hunger stopper for workers on the go. Vendors also sold soup, with the seller providing the bowl to customers eating on the street.

What people wore

The decline of the worker's blouse

By the early 1900s, the traditional working man's blouse had largely disappeared in Paris, replaced by disparate outfits of jackets, vests, and trousers worn with caps. Workers often saved their best suits for Sundays and holidays, featuring accessories like bowler hats, cravats, and patent leather shoes.

Music

Instruments of the Paris Bal Musette

In the early 20th century, the cabrette, a small bagpipe, was the signature instrument of Parisian bal musette, but it was gradually joined or replaced by the accordion introduced by Italian immigrants.

Daily life

Memorable daily life details

A household helper, or femme de ménage, could be hired in Paris for six sous per hour, while well-to-do families identified the gender of their babies by using red ribbons for boys and blue for girls on the nurse's cap.