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Hélène Vestur

Born Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 31 May 1958

5 facts1 source

Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 31 May 1958

    Born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Family

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Parents

Partner

During her lifetime

She has lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1950s · Hélène is born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

In the news1950

Creation of the minimum wage

In 1950, the government established the minimum wage (SMIG) to improve workers' purchasing power.

What people wore

Structured undergarments defined the silhouette

In the 1950s, women's undergarments like corsets, girdles, and structured petticoats were considered essential to achieve the cinched waist and specific silhouette dictated by fashion designers.

Daily life

Rise of modern household appliances

Household appliances were rare in 1950, with only about 7.5 percent of households owning a refrigerator and 8.5 percent a washing machine. By 1968, these numbers surged to 72.4 percent and 50.1 percent, respectively.

In the news1956

Third week of paid vacation

In 1956, French workers were granted a third week of paid vacation, significantly increasing their leisure time.

Music

Traditional Regional Dances and Instruments

In the Massif Central, the bourrée remained a traditional dance accompanied by instruments like the cabrette bagpipe, fiddle, or hurdy-gurdy. While some folk dances used complex rhythms, musicians frequently adapted their repertoires to include more modern sounds like the accordion.

In Europe1948–1952

The Marshall Plan

American aid of some $13 billion rebuilt the ruined economies of Western Europe.

Getting around

Record-breaking train travel in 1955

By 1955, the Sud-Express train achieved a world-record speed for its route, covering the 816 km between Paris and Hendaye in 7 hours and 23 minutes.