A tribute to 19th Century Parisians at the Musée Carnavalet

Until 26 February 2012, the Carnavalet Museum is running a fascinating exploration into the heart of the popular districts of Paris in the 19th century and brings the visitor in contact with in the everyday lives of the inhabitants of a capital in the midst of transformation.

Through both visual displays, with illustrations and objects as testimonies, and sound extracts, providing a very realistic recreation of the atmosphere in the streets of Paris, the exhibition deals with both living and working conditions of the popular classes as well as their heterogeneous nature.

On loan from twenty museums, the items presented give a rich and detailed portrait by dealing with every aspect of daily life: trades, housing, food customs, clothing codes and even working class entertainment. Covering the world of the suburbs as well as the cabarets and dance halls, all the diversity of the city and those who lived there during the 19th century is on show.

While the exhibition provides a poetic and humorous look at the people of Paris, the tone of last part of the visit is much more dramatic: problems of poverty and fears around immigration, rebellion proves to be as much part of the city’s past as it has been in recent history.

Le Peuple de Paris au 19^ème siècle :

• Carnavalet Museum: Hôtel Carnavalet – 23, rue de Sévigné – 75003 Paris
• Until February 26, 2012
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 18:00
• Closed on Mondays and holidays
• Further information: here