Thank you - this article is such a GIFT! I just finished reading Zola's Ventre du Paris which takes place in Les Halles at the exact same time period. I was totally surprised to read about food resellers in Zola, and it is amazing to see the service reappearing in your article.
I desperately need to read Zola's book and now I want to even more because of your comment. Researching this was illuminating and fascinating and rather shocking at times. But now that I think about it, my husband worked for a long time in the veterinary press. When he worked in Italy, he would receive a huge tome every year of all the recorded acts of food fraud in Italy that happened over the course of the year and boy oh boy... some of what was going on in the 19th century still goes on today.
Oh, this was fun!! And fascinating, tho' I will confess to a few shivers of disgust (the painted turkey feet, the oily "eyes"!). I will wander the markets and streets of Paris in October with a fresh imagination!
This is the ultimate in creating a “waste not, want not” economy, though I do wonder if some of those recycled, painted and resold foods—especially the meats—made folks sick. Utterly fascinating, Jamie! Thanks!
This: Un peintre de pattes de dindons. So very very strange! Thanks for posting this article. Reminds of all the types I met when we spent 2 months in Paris back in 2017(!).
One of the Blandings Castle PG Wodehouse books has a character who wants to buy an onion soup concern, which his uncle thinks is ridiculous. This was his argument, in your words:
"Bowls of broth or soup were often sold to customers in cabarets or clubs after a long night of carousing."
My dear Jeff! I was thinking of you yesterday and was sad we’d been out of touch since Twitter’s demise. Amazing today of all days you pop up!! We need to catch up. I hope you’re well. 💜
Henry Mayhew was a London journalist. He wrote articles for the Morning Chronicle about the lives and occupations of London's poor. This was compiled into a three volume series called London Labour and the London Poor in 1851. I have a selected edition which is endlessly fascinating. I think the whole work is on Gutenberg and other public domain sites
So nice to see your name again. Are you writing books now❓
How are things at your B&B❓
I’ve been in hiding- just coming thru Cancer Recovery the past 10mos…learning to walk again & starting to read again. Oddly enough- a new book arrived just before your email & is called “The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris.”
It takes place in an old neighborhood called “Compiegne” & I just started it-fascinating & confusing which makes it interesting !
Written by: Evie Woods
I also quit twitter & FB…SUBSTACK far more civilized & rational…as there’s not much rational in our CTRY now w/the present occupant of the WH🙄
It’s good your in FR 🇫🇷 as the US IS NOT the place you knew & I’m thinking about a move 🤔 in the future.
Will read your Historical Story w/recipe I hope- over the weekend.
Dear Johanna - I was so happy to see you pop up! It has been ages! I didn't answer right back because I wanted to type sitting at my laptop rather than on my phone! I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible trials with cancer and I am so happy to hear you are on the other side. I hope you are surrounded by loved ones - and love and care. I'm over on Bluesky now but really should spend more time on Substack notes. Take good care, my friend, and I am glad we are back in touch. Much love, Jamie
Thank you - this article is such a GIFT! I just finished reading Zola's Ventre du Paris which takes place in Les Halles at the exact same time period. I was totally surprised to read about food resellers in Zola, and it is amazing to see the service reappearing in your article.
I desperately need to read Zola's book and now I want to even more because of your comment. Researching this was illuminating and fascinating and rather shocking at times. But now that I think about it, my husband worked for a long time in the veterinary press. When he worked in Italy, he would receive a huge tome every year of all the recorded acts of food fraud in Italy that happened over the course of the year and boy oh boy... some of what was going on in the 19th century still goes on today.
You’re right, this was a gem, with amazing photos of the bustling life in Paris them! Thanks for posting. 🥖🥐🦪
Thanks for reading! And I'm so happy you enjoyed it... I really did! It all surprised and delighted me hahaha
Oh, this was fun!! And fascinating, tho' I will confess to a few shivers of disgust (the painted turkey feet, the oily "eyes"!). I will wander the markets and streets of Paris in October with a fresh imagination!
Right? I'm sorry they are getting rid of Les Halles in Paris and I'm sorry I never visited!
This is the ultimate in creating a “waste not, want not” economy, though I do wonder if some of those recycled, painted and resold foods—especially the meats—made folks sick. Utterly fascinating, Jamie! Thanks!
Haha Ruth, I wondered about that too!
Enjoyed this.
Microhistory really allows for a very visceral sense of connecting to the past, as you've done here.
Thank you so much, Robert! That's so kind!
The women of Les Halles were a sturdy lot.
I loved this post (and the photos) so much and I haven't even had my coffee yet!
I live to discover and uncover weird stuff like this!!
This: Un peintre de pattes de dindons. So very very strange! Thanks for posting this article. Reminds of all the types I met when we spent 2 months in Paris back in 2017(!).
Thank you, James 💜
One of the Blandings Castle PG Wodehouse books has a character who wants to buy an onion soup concern, which his uncle thinks is ridiculous. This was his argument, in your words:
"Bowls of broth or soup were often sold to customers in cabarets or clubs after a long night of carousing."
Priceless Jamie!!❤️🤗
Your words and these photos bring me to this understated overlooked past. Grateful to know you dear lady.
My dear Jeff! I was thinking of you yesterday and was sad we’d been out of touch since Twitter’s demise. Amazing today of all days you pop up!! We need to catch up. I hope you’re well. 💜
Marvellous. An introduction to a Parisien version of Mayhew which I know will be fascinating reading. Your culinary extractions were delightful.
Thank you thank you! Oooh who is Mayhew? I think I need to add something to my reading list!
Henry Mayhew was a London journalist. He wrote articles for the Morning Chronicle about the lives and occupations of London's poor. This was compiled into a three volume series called London Labour and the London Poor in 1851. I have a selected edition which is endlessly fascinating. I think the whole work is on Gutenberg and other public domain sites
Terrific! Thank you!
How Incredible! Thanks so much for doing all the research and sharing and enlightening us!
It was my pleasure, Kathy! I am so happy you enjoyed it!
A food reseller? Hmmmm............ but I really like the strawberry seller job. I could do that! :)
Did you read further? hahaha
Fascinating!
Thank you, Tony!
So nice to see your name again. Are you writing books now❓
How are things at your B&B❓
I’ve been in hiding- just coming thru Cancer Recovery the past 10mos…learning to walk again & starting to read again. Oddly enough- a new book arrived just before your email & is called “The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris.”
It takes place in an old neighborhood called “Compiegne” & I just started it-fascinating & confusing which makes it interesting !
Written by: Evie Woods
I also quit twitter & FB…SUBSTACK far more civilized & rational…as there’s not much rational in our CTRY now w/the present occupant of the WH🙄
It’s good your in FR 🇫🇷 as the US IS NOT the place you knew & I’m thinking about a move 🤔 in the future.
Will read your Historical Story w/recipe I hope- over the weekend.
Be well- Talk soon
Au Revoir
Johanna
Dear Johanna - I was so happy to see you pop up! It has been ages! I didn't answer right back because I wanted to type sitting at my laptop rather than on my phone! I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible trials with cancer and I am so happy to hear you are on the other side. I hope you are surrounded by loved ones - and love and care. I'm over on Bluesky now but really should spend more time on Substack notes. Take good care, my friend, and I am glad we are back in touch. Much love, Jamie
Thank you for your loving words- warms the heart ❤️
Am going to jump over to BlueSky this weekend