Gaetano Oehmichen

Daily life

Improving domestic sanitation and running water

In 1954, only 10 percent of French households had a shower or bathtub, and over 40 percent lacked running water. By the end of the period, the majority of the population had gained access to fully equipped, modern dwellings.

Work

Industrial labor dominance in 1962

In 1962, industrial workers were the largest group, making up 39 percent of the total working population.

What people wore

Trousers were rare for women

For much of this period, trousers on women were rare and socially unconventional for daily life, often restricted to casual settings like holidays or specific professional environments.

Music

Village Dances and Local Orchestras

In the 1950s and 1960s, rural village dances often featured a live orchestra of three or four musicians, typically including an accordionist, a drummer, and sometimes a saxophonist. Admission often cost a few francs, with proceeds supporting local associations or festival committees.

At the table

French dietary preferences in the 1960s

In the early 1960s, French households stood out for their high consumption of relatively expensive items like veal, poultry, fresh vegetables, and wine.