VIEUX PARIS

Paris of Yesteryear even makes Running Errands look Charming

I found a really neat Facebook page today packed with old Paris photographs I’d never seen before. From an album dedicated entirely to Parisians buying baguettes to photographs of vintage advertising around the city, it’s a bit of a Parisphile treasure trove. I was drawn to a collection documenting everyday life in Paris and the simple charm of running errands in Paris in the old days. Some scenes are still familiar, and some are lost to a bygone era…

I mean come on, a goat’s cheese street vendor, with his goats in tow?! Can we bring this back?

Photographed byFrank Welch, 1953.

A booth offering sewing and alterations on the spot. Photographed by Violette Cornélius, 1956

The street cleaning train, photographer unknown, 1950.

Buying cheese, photographed by Fritz Henle, 1938.

Picking up the newspaper on the 13th September, 1957. Photographed by Kees Scherer.

While the wine seller takes his siesta, his assistant takes his shift, photographed by Christer Strömholm in 1949.

A lost trade, photographed by Jacques Boyer, 1908.

A trip to the post office in Montmartre, where his four-legged companion decides to do his business. Photographed by Sam Presser in the 1960s.

Making sure you got the right change, outside the epicerie (grocer), photographed by Janine Niepce 1964.

The chimney sweepers at work, photographed by Patrice Molinard, 1950s.

Market girls on Rue Montorgueil, photographed by Fred Brommet, 1951.

The French fries filles are always flashing a pretty smile on Rue Rambuteau, photographed by Willy Ronis 1946.

Don’t forget your lottery ticket! Photographed by Nico Jesse 1950s.

The TV store, photographed by Paul Almasy 1960s.

Checking out the curiosities du jour at the market. Old teeth for sale! And you can try them out for size too. Photographed by Georges Glasberg 1950s.