Cats, rats and elephants: what Parisians had at the end of the 19th century

The capital of France is famous for its gastronomy. It was in Paris that the first restaurants appeared, as well as many popular gourmet dishes. But there were Parisians and difficult periods. So, during the four months of 1870-1871. The basis of the Parisian menu was horsemeat, meat of dogs and rats. They even ate an elephant from the zoo.

In the summer of 1870, a bloody war broke out between the French Empire and the North German Union. German troops invaded France, Emperor Napoleon III went to the front and was captured in the battle of Sedan. A day later, on September 3, an uprising began in Paris. The September Revolution replaced the emperor and, once again, established the Republic. France was losing the war, and in Paris they were preparing for a siege. In anticipation of the blockade of the 2 millionth city, all products and fuel were taken from neighboring regions, herds of animals they could find were driven in. Continue reading →