Prince Antoine, Duke of Montpensier

At the table

Wine preferred over risky water

Wine was the preferred beverage, often drunk diluted or spiced because water was frequently unsafe and caused gastrointestinal issues.

What people wore

Working men adopted trousers for freedom

Working-class men transitioned from traditional knee breeches to loose-fitting trousers, known as pantalon, to allow for greater freedom of movement during manual labor. This style, paired with a short jacket called a carmagnole and wooden clogs (sabots), became a symbolic badge of revolutionary identity.

Getting around

Mountain sledding and early rapid communication

Travelers crossed the steep Mont-Cenis pass between France and Italy on muleback, while adventurous passengers slid down snowy slopes in sleds known as ramasse in only fifteen minutes. Meanwhile, the Chappe semaphore telegraph allowed messages to travel across France in hours instead of days, though people still relied on traditional transport.

What it cost

Labor for food and shoes

During times of economic crisis, some workers were forced to offer their labor solely in exchange for basic food and footwear instead of monetary wages.

Music

Handwritten dance music manuscripts for families

Young people in wealthy families kept handwritten manuscript books of dances, such as quadrilles, waltzes, and bourrées, to enjoy and practice during leisure time.

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.