What Hygiene Was Like at The Court of Versailles

[@naruswifu4387]

I read somewhere sometime ago that "Paris is known as the capital of perfumes because it was filled with stench that its people would create different kinds of perfumes just to cover up the stink" and now I know that this is 100% true in the terms of logic.

[@bullettooth44]

Pepe LePew came from truth

[@jme104]

You're a racist .

[@itaachiii]

i just dread to think what his mistresses used to go through everyday, jeesh....

[@kaddyd1815]

The Russian court was known to use perfumes for the same reason….

[@patremagilbert8787]

True

[@michelesilva9491]

I don’t understand how they were able to build such elaborate palaces like this yet couldn’t figure out how to make a tooth brush, or some form of deodorant.

[@evirareid1500]

Or like to splash around in a cool stream once a week ffs...

[@MarileneSawaf]

because they did not see the need for it

[@Ash-od1ps]

@@MarileneSawaf pretty sure a lot of them even believed regular bathing was bad for you

[@Tinyfurball]

I know right? I always loved the Historical buildings like the ones they had and clothing. But my God. Wtaf?.....!!!!

[@daphne4983]

They used wine with herbs in the late middle ages.

[@PandoraKyss]

It's been said that Marie-Antoinette was horrified when she saw - and likely smelled - Versailles. She essentially dragged bathing etiquette with her from her native Austria and it was another notch against her to the courtiers, as she was seen as eccentric and even vain due to her regular bathing. Modesty dictated that she wear a linen chemise while submerged in what might be called a fragrant broth. Flowers, oils, perfumes, even pine nuts. Post bath, she would rub sweet almond oil into her skin for a moisturizer, often cut with neroli or violet. Let me tell you, if you suffer from dry skin in the winter, sweet almond oil is the best thing I've ever used.

[@ironcladvee6229]

Said by who? Marie Antoinette had literal horses, donkeys, pigs, foxes, cats, dogs, birds and more all running loose in Versailles bc she loved animals. Hygiene would not have been a concern of hers.

[@jamiegibsn7543]

@@ironcladvee6229 you can love animals and take baths

[@ironcladvee6229]

@@jamiegibsn7543 Coincidently it seems prolific animal lovers always smell and have fur or hair on them.

[@danarzechula3769]

Poor Marie

[@anunluckyguy7586]

@@ironcladvee6229 do you live in the us? now i know to never go there lol

[@pfgbam]

Versailles during that time looks like a sims house I built that one time when I forgot to put toilets and all my sims were just crapping everywhere.

[@DogFlamingoXIII]

It's more like the "No excuse" achievement you can get in Sims 4, where someone pees on the floor, despite there being at least five toilets. That happened far more often than I'd like to admit. ">.>

[@lrowerowe7207]

LOL

[@lennym1273]

You actually made me laugh out loud...

[@therealharleyquinn7547]

this is now one of my favorite comments i've ever seen! thank you :)

[@ryanvelez6762]

😂😂😂

[@matthewjay660]

Still to this day, in French, a way to say, “I need to go to the bathroom,” can be said as,” J’ai besoin du petit coin/I need the little corner.” It’s an expression from Versailles and the urinating nobles.

[@rustynail8925]

In north of England lad , we've always said , just goin shitter luv , and when you've finnished you are expected to be polite if it smells and warn people by saying , I'd give it 5 if i were you

[@frenchtoast7742]

😂🤣 WHAATT ?? I don’t know where you heard that expression but I never heard that expression in my lifetime! And I am French ! We do not say that all ! 🤣🙄

[@truefalse934]

@@frenchtoast7742 does it depend on what region you’re from. Where I live there are some common cultural sayings that vary from what part of the country you’re from Even in the US what region you’re from can influence what type of language you use (ex; “soda” v “pop” v “cola,” or “firefly” v “lightning bug”

[@nattybynature1262]

@@frenchtoast7742 I'm not French but I am from a somewhat francophone country and have heard actual French people using "le petit coin" 😅

[@matthewjay660]

@@frenchtoast7742 Salut Pain Perdu. 🙋🏻‍♂️ Je suis professeur de français avec 2 diplômes universitaires : ma licence et ma maîtrise en français. Je vous promets et je vous jure que l’expression > vient des nobles de Versailles et veut dire > Merci pour votre réponse. Co co ri co! 🧏🏻‍♂️👨🏻‍🏫🇫🇷

[@bitchpudding2945]

And yet these people had the nerve to call Native Americans “uncivilized”

[@cristinadriviera8144]

Bitch Pudding+ i was thinking the same.

[@katlynklassen809]

It is a very good example of the European tendancy toward smug condescension.

[@latsnojokelee6434]

Supposedly the Native Americans could smell the US cavalry about 2 miles away if the wind blew in the right direction. If you can imagine wearing heavy woolen uniforms and sweating and being covered in horse sweat and not bathing properly.

[@xelaphilia]

Because you think the native Americans were so hygienic. Right ;)

[@bitchpudding2945]

@@xelaphilia more hygienic than the nobles of Versailles

[@patriciapalmer1377]

In researching for a thesis, I ran across several traveler's letters of that period that commented on the terrible odor of Versailles wafting in the breezes from was miles away. I researched it myself, and read a number of these accounts of courtiers relieving themselves in hallways and public corners, thousands of people living there and only 2 actual" bathrooms" , one being Louis' and one, his favorite of the moment. When I referenced them in a the comments on a You Tube video about Versailles, I was attacked viciously by a number of commentators who assailed my sources, called me a liar and accused me of making it all up. I was offended and am grateful for this vindication.

[@HoneyBakedHam7]

Just curious, what were your sources?

[@beelot1511]

cite your sources.

[@irenec7665]

It was common knowledge until the early 2000s, when everyone became so delicate about history, and started to revision it, to make it look better.

[@sharonbarton1888]

I was on vacation in France in the 80s, let me tell you, the narrow streets stunk of urine. You had too stay on the main roads in the town. While there we constantly had to request bath towels, hotel management thought we were nuts because we bathed so much, the people had body odor and their hair was greasy. We were in Nice and Cannes. This was in th 80s. Hygiene at that time was questionable in France and we were staying in the Lowe's on the Riviera!

[@MrQwertypoiuyty]

@@HoneyBakedHam7 Watch renowned French Historians talking about hygiene in Versailles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIi8epqngqp4aNE You're asking sources? There are more than a dozen French Historians in the youtube video I shared above; with their names shown - unlike skeptical people like you who don't want to reveal their full names hiding behind usernames.

[@2short99]

I can’t believe people lived like this back then yet alone rich people. Explains why life expectancy was so much lower back then cause they were gross.

[@Concerned_Robot]

I can’t believe modern women actually romanticize this time period and country....

[@cyrenanorris5397]

Agreed. The clothes were pretty and that's about it.

[@Pumkin932]

@@Concerned_Robot They likely have no clue outside of movies and tv.

[@oscarlpf1]

Pretty to see but very uncomfortable to wear

[@ukeyaoitrash2618]

@@oscarlpf1 so are cosplays and we like those to XD

[@stacys8729]

I loved this! Most documentaries just talk about how elegant the place was, the gardens, the architecture, fashion, etc. I have heard about how the introduction of a lot of sugar had a huge effect - people's teeth falling out, deaths from diabetes - and it took them quite some time to make the connection.

[@TypeOneg]

People still haven't made the connection.

[@MoniqueangeliqueLumpkin]

YES MEDIVIEAL AND XVII CENTURY FRANCE KNEW ABOUT DIABETICS THAT IS WHY THEY DRANK 3 CUPS OF FRENCH LILAC TEA DAILY, HUM ORIGIN OF TODAY METAFORMIN. SOME DID DIET AS TODAY THEY LIKED TO PIG OUT PIG . IROQUOIS, FIVE NATIONS KNEW DENTAL HIGIEYNE VIA NATURE. HUM SO MANY PEOPLE OF TODAY HAVE FALSE THEETS. RESEARCH, MOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. AS A FRANCO AMERICAIN I'M AN EXPERT ON FR CULTURE. GREAT ADMIROR OF LOUIS XIV, BAROQUE, VERSAILLES, AND LA MONTESPAN.

[@adippful]

so it's a palace for the filthy rich......literally

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

😂

[@VictoriaWhitlock]

Omg

[@lorenjones3662]

I just snorted diet coke out of my nose.

[@scruffy281]

😂😂😂

[@michellelewis9519]

It sad they are rich why can't they have better hydrogen

[@nobo1682]

modern people tend to underestimate how easily people can become desensitized to bad smells after prolonged exposure

[@mats7492]

THIS

[@imastatistic8347]

When the English came over to the new world Native Americans were disgusted bu their smell and hygiene practices. Watching this I don’t blame them

[@sitaramdeen4922]

True

[@nataliemoonsings]

@@imastatistic8347 I read somewhere the English even made fun of the native Americans for bathing all the time

[@g0thfae]

When I was younger I went to a friend's house and it was my first and last time going. Long story short it was a straight up depression house and I'm not talking about the era. When I walked in, a sour like funky smell hit me in the face and at some point he told me his cats have been relieving themselves behind his PC, I looked and he was absolutely right- it was just a massive pile of shit on top of a bunch of cords/wires. About the only thing to eat there was ramen and the (single) mom stayed in her room away from her own children who entertained each other in the filthy, dark and dank living room. By the time I left his house and got fresh air my throat was burning because I had gotten used to the pungent smell of his house. Like, we've never been financially well ourselves, but jfc even a homeless person would live a cleaner life than them

[@jessn.2665]

I went to Versailles 10 years ago. It’s in a forest kind of in the middle of nowhere. I can confirm that it is odorless now. While picturing people hauling water by hand in and out of the various apartments, dealing with all the waste etc., is wild to think about, it baffles me why the king didn’t try to reduce the amount of people living and visiting there to help keep it cleaner.

[@nikemaraje5]

I live right next to Versailles and it's not really "in the middle of nowhere"... But yeah it's odorless now

[@TypeOneg]

He was paranoid extremely paranoid. He needed all of the aristocracy in his country to live in his Palace so that they would not conspire against him. Well they did anyway but that's another story

[@abacale]

Yes I went last month very clean and odorless, perfection 👍

[@MsClepsydra]

He moved the aristocrats away from Paris and into the Versailles to "control" them and make Versailles a power center he thought he'd be able to supervise at all times.

[@thyong24]

I also went there last month, perfection. Although as I toured the princesses “apartment” chambers, I noticed didn’t see or read anything related to bathroom. So this video came to my attention at a right time.

[@MithrilMagic]

I think it’s funny that the French thought Marie Antoinette was “eccentric” because she liked to bathe a few times a week. People in Tudor England only washed their faces and hands every day. They also believed it was their clothes were the only things that got dirty. So they would only change their clothes. And barely ever washed their hair.

[@_iyakin]

god, that must've been part of why she had a hard time adjusting in the palace 🥴🥴 I feel soooo bad for her now 😭

[@pattysouza2954]

I snuck around the velvet ropes and wnet to see the bathtub she had installed. It was a tiny room with nothing but a huge tub and a book shelf that went to the ceiling. It has a window and ahe must have laid in the tub with a book.

[@margritpiepes8242]

I guess Marie Antoinette knew " German cleanliness" since she was German.

[@lilacsunshine3044]

This is so gross.No wonder the woman covered therehair.

[@itswhatitis277]

@@margritpiepes8242 she was Austrian, not German

[@darkdayz8277]

It's almost hard to believe people were this disgusting!

[@apocalypse487]

People still like that even though they have working plumbing

[@tiffanyspencer1082]

Any public bathroom will make you rethink that statement

[@j4genius961]

People will think the same of us in 2-300 years

[@HyperionaSilverleaf]

@@j4genius961 we're gross now. I saw a woman rinse (not wash!) her hands and then use the hand dryer. It was a two stall restroom and I heard her crapping.

[@gabrielfrost9134]

@@HyperionaSilverleaf You were listening lmao! 🎧💨💩

[@Nativestyles]

When Queen Catherine came from Spain to live with Henry, she was disgusted how filthy it was in England. She had adopted the bathing almost every day from the Muslims in Spain.

[@kflo8634]

When you visit Versailles, it's hard to imagine how nasty it must gave been.

[@aleiferthenorthman7935]

its impeccable lmao everything coated in gold in every damn room haha

[@Jylart]

It's such a beautiful place!!

[@paulcowlishaw]

Have I assume you mean

[@rabbit0877]

Agreed. The Hall of mirrors is gorgeous!! The thought of pigs running around and standing puddles of….water everywhere blows my mind. Like, I cannot fathom it.

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

Seriously. I'm happy to just view it today and not go back in time haha

[@dont-call-me-et-al]

oh my god i did NOT know it was this bad. The visual of Marie getting hit by literal flying shit is just immaculate, thank you!

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

haha someone needs to create a painting of this

[@florenmage]

I'm just taking a stroll outside. Ahhh that good old fresh air. ... DID A TURD JUST HIT MY FACE WTF OMG AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!... D;

[@maribelvega8008]

No wonder their dresses were so big layers on layers trying to hide BO lol they'd even use their clothes to clean themselves.. all of them full of sh*t piss , lice and cat piss, no bathing, mercury Led makeup bald which wreaked havoc on the skin how could they stand it? filthy rich is true yuck

[@lilacsunshine3044]

@@maribelvega8008 Vomit time.

[@lindasansone3345]

🤣 I can't

[@vieblu53]

When visiting Versailles with a tour group many years ago on a rainy day there was heavy smell of old wet wood. I guess that was a heavenly scent compared to what occupants endured in the 1700's.

[@margaretdasilva5493]

I went with a tour group too! They are so much fun. Also saw Britain which was my favourite.

[@immortalxd6190]

@@margaretdasilva5493 nice 👍🏻

[@immortalxd6190]

Haha for sure

[@ashleywilliams9266]

The girls were hyping this place up back in the day like Versailles was that spot! Meanwhile it's smelling like hot ass on wheat bread ?!

[@toniwilliams5330]

🤣 im dead

[@johnrankin4521]

Eww i visualized this comment, hell no

[@mimireuser5383]

My damn air pod fell out laughing at this 🤣 hot ass on wheat bread

[@GIBunz]

No water source is a pretty big no-no

[@iwillpunchyouruglyass]

HOT ASS ON WHEAT BREAD

[@EmilyIsHere1111]

I hate to imagine what physical intimacy was like back then. 🤮

[@lilpudd1]

I know right…..so nasty 🤮🤮🤮

[@2mfours]

good grieff 🤢🤢

[@teresajadia3291]

I was thinking the same thing 🤮🤢

[@mrsdiaz7712]

i think that’s the first thought on everyone’s minds at first then i think that’s why there was so much infant death i mean can you imagine what the females were like down there omg disgusting

[@angellmariaaxoxo24]

😐🤢

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

Can you imagine going back in time thinking its gonna be awesome like the TV shows and movies. Only to see this?

[@NostalgiaEdits111]

It would still be amazing!

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

@@NostalgiaEdits111 it would for the first few minutes. Until the smells start kicking in.

[@beautymore5224]

You will teach them better or they will hang you for your ideas

[@mnsadvkta]

😂😂😂😂

[@tyokabina2829]

There was a bit about this in a newspaper comic at some point.

[@archangel5627]

I find it absolutely insane that in Versailles Royal Courts, the highest people of Nobility would piss anywhere and everywhere especially in the corners of the room. You’d think this type of conduct would be strictly forbidden among Noble society but it was common practice everywhere. Between all the urine, fecal matter, roaming animals and unbathed people, the whole place must’ve stunk to high holy hell especially in the hot summer months. Also, the narrator forgot to mention that Versailles had a lot of horses on the property. Horses shit everywhere they go so in addition to all the other fecal matter you also had huge piles of horse shit all over the place.

[@toosiyabrandt8676]

Hi Even in Post World War 2 in Berlin where I grew up, it was a cultural norm for men and little boys to pee on trees growing on the edge of footpaths in any suburban or city street in full sight of anyone walking past! And small girls were held over the gutter by their mothers.[ Never for doing poo though!] There must have been a lack of public toilets! [ Only adult women weren't allowed to relieve themselves this way! ] And France is still famous for it's barely discreet 'Pissoires' But to our shame they have exceeded all other cultures with their exemplary ' Bidet'. Shalom to us only in Christ Yeshua

[@cristinadriviera8144]

Arch Angel+ Long dresses trailing in dung...

[@2mfours]

eww

[@gabrielalvarado7849]

there’s not much proof they were THIS bad. some stuff was invented by commoners after the french revolution as they wanted to give royalty a bad image

[@henningandersen9027]

This documentary would have been great if it weren't for the disturbing and thus nerving MUZAK during the talk.

[@lealta1481]

This is why French Kissing was so impressive. Open mouth kissing anyone with tongue back then was really hard-core due to the body odor

[@tennesseean7257]

Imagine the diseases people contracted from the unsanitary conditions back then from open mouth kissing whoever was around at the time. They thought "hot water" invited illnesses and caused diseases🙄 them poor people died in droves believing what they knew to be right, but in the present day we know so much more about so many things and they didn't stand a chance.

[@adamwilliams5492]

Hell that could b where a lot of the studs came from. Or At least one of them

[@DaveGSx7]

Like kissing a corpse...

[@Pumkin932]

@@tennesseean7257 Makes you wonder just how dumb we're all gonna look in a couple decades, at least.

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

Right.. like eating booty today, which most of us do relentlessly.

[@kungbibitawngmahinahonakob5481]

That is disgusting 😭. Even the tudors in England, they called Catherine of Aragon “over privileged” for bathing with water and fragrant herbs everyday. The spanish brought that tradition here in the Philippines that's why we take a bath every single day even centuries ago.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

His narrations NEVER disappoint me 😂

[@coloneljackmustard]

He no Rod Serling or Leonard Nimoy, but he's pretty good.

[@widowrumstrypze9705]

@@coloneljackmustard Not to mention, ALIVE!! Lol!

[@youngsol309]

@@coloneljackmustard Stephen colbert haha

[@lilacsunshine3044]

{erfect voice for such subjects.

[@lilacsunshine3044]

@@coloneljackmustard He has a voice that translates the humor of the said subject,Its is perfect.

[@ktg5713]

So Roman's can build aquadeqas and piping for its citizens and public baths. But 1750s France can't do the same? Lol

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

Watch the YT video of Monty Python's 'what have the Romans ever done for us' They civilized the Brits.

[@ViolettaD1485]

Actually, the middle ages might have been cleaner than the 17th century. There were public baths for those who didn't have their own, and many people used to go once a week to warm up in winter or cool off in summer. The authorities closed them because of plague and also because some people using them to hook-up, so later centuries stank more than the middle ages.

[@bluesman1947]

Things haven't changed much. The french still don't wash much.

[@essaly7969]

@@bluesman1947 False.

[@cocobdijen2329]

@@bluesman1947 😂 , get education...

[@BennyB5555]

An inverted siphon system, along with glass covered clay pipes, was used for the first time in the palaces of Crete, Greece. It is still in working condition, after about 3000 years. The Ancient Romans had bath houses and indoor plumbing. Hygiene was very important. Honestly, I think in Versailles case. It was a cultural thing. They just didn’t give a crap (no pun intended) All that sexing, drinking, eating was taking its toll. There wasn’t too much put on formality or priorities. Excess opulence. Hence the reason why France 🇫🇷 is now a republic.

[@mlw9195]

Nope

[@fatallyfatcat5274]

They didn't give a crap. In old royal palace in Poland they had underground sewage system and lead water pipes since XVI-th century and before that they had bathrooms with ancient medieval design of a hole through a tower floor, 8m drop and a river on the bottom.

[@abiean222]

well, after a year of everyone having to piss in the hallways, toilets overflowing, and the smell, anyone would just accept it as normal, because what else are you to do?

[@curerose0630]

Wow. I was just wondering how people answered nature's call in ancient greek and rome, and probably egypt and China too. If the plumbing system hadn't been invented yet, what did they use?

[@adamjenks9613]

I find these hygiene videos oddly intriguing and fascinating.

[@seebunlim]

Me too!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Libra8410]

Same

[@ilovemalechickens]

Makes me feel better about missing a shower here and there

[@Lionstar16]

They make me eternally grateful that I live in a society that doesn't stink

[@ilovemalechickens]

@@Lionstar16 depends where you hang out. Try frequenting a rock pub and you'll soon change your tune

[@davef.2811]

It's amazing that anyone survived a horrid period of time like that.

[@laurawilloughby4000]

No one did.

[@pelicant6497]

Uncomfortable lumpy clothes, too many regulations and separations, and this. I cannot believe people think the world of the past was better than today's.

[@davef.2811]

@@pelicant6497 50 years past, yes. 500 years past, hell no.

[@pelicant6497]

@@davef.2811 In alot of ways yes. But in my region, we were still recovering from and fighting wars. Again, many values then are dismissed today, large part of the blame is on the internet I strongly believe.

[@purpurina5663]

Amazing that women could birth live children. I don’t know if it extended to this period, but in Tudor England it was thought a pregnant woman needed to stay in dark close quarters during the puerperium

[@CraxiPostazione]

It's incredible how people in Versailled used to adopt the culture and the habits of Discord Mods so well

[@InuMiroLover]

*"What Hygiene Was Like at The Court of Versailles"* "...there was hygiene?"

[@justsomerandomwatcher2226]

Well yes but not really

[@CCP-Lies]

No it's doesn't exist

[@shojinryori]

More like “hygiene”…

[@niningrz4864]

Knowledge like this made me happy I'm not born in the past coz I absolutely cannot survive. Seeing romantization of royal and historical movie esp in 13-19 century setting and saw these documentations was mind blowing.

[@mats7492]

If you get born into this, you wouldn’t mind..

[@lilacsunshine3044]

I am blessed i was born in the 60s.

[@ad6417]

I went to Versailles in Jan 2023 and even though it was bitterly cold, you could still detect the odor of human waste.

[@AS-qg1xu]

Thank you for this info, I was wondering if it still smelled.

[@NthQldGirl]

Why does it smell? We have running water and sewerage system now

[@skylark391]

I studied french costume history in the university, and can confirm, everything in this video is true. I can add, French were wearing silk undergarments, because, apparently, silk is the only one fabric where lice don't breed. Also, reach people, never washed there clothes. They wore it for a while and just pass it on to their helpers to wear after them.

[@Aristocratic13]

So they really just shit everywhere?

[@Patrick3183]

They didn’t wash their clothes because they wore lots of undergarments. Their bodies never touched their outer clothes.

[@knucklehoagies]

The irony of being such a "prim and proper" society with strict dress codes and etiquette being filled with people who smelled horrible and probably had rotting teeth.

[@Lionslycer]

Can you imagine the smoky, rich, natural musk that Louis must have cultivated over a life time of funk mixed with spicy perfumes. It's something modern folks could never appreciate, but I'm sure it was the envy of his time.

[@shamaraoconnor458]

Lmao…you are something else…really made me laugh. Such an initiate portrayal of his musk…🤣. So you appreciate it only hope you don’t practice it.

[@huletnadof313]

Your comment needs more likes.

[@Yourcheerz]

He became Kouros

[@beburs]

down bad

[@okay333666]

And what made matters worse, everyone was drinking booze and eating raw organic foods so you know it was extra stinky and frequent.

[@ghihbgyu]

raw foods? I thought they ate a ton of bread and meat at that time?

[@archangel5627]

@@ghihbgyu They did drink a ton of booze and eat a lot of bread, meat, and cheese but they also ate a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits. Louis the 14th was obsessed with gardens. During his time Versailles was known for its epic gardens and green houses. They would grow all kinds of vegetables and fruits inside these green houses. They even grew some foreign fruits as well. So you can imagine how bad their shit smelled back then.

[@archangel5627]

@Gwyn and Gold You’re absolutely right. The narrator forgot to mention that in addition to all the cats, rodents, and pets, there were a ton of horses there as well. We all know horses shit wherever they are and horse shit is huge. So Versailles definitely smelled like a festering sewer.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

They ate extra oily, greasy foods, because vegetables were still viewed and considered as pig food and dangerous.It wasn't till Louis 16th that they consider potatoes and other veggies into their diets. Louis 14th was obese with gout and other complications due to too much carbs, meats and dairy foods, not from fruits and vegs. Vegs , again, was view as pig food and benefit the high class people. High class people ate processed sugar and breads were made from white flour, thus white bread was viewed as high class.

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

@@LadyCoyKoi There were **plenty** of period recipes that incorporated vegetables, & salads were considered high status dishes; even going back to the 16th c- to the time of Henry VIII of England, & Francis I of France- there was a ‘Royal’ or ‘King Sallet (Salad)’ dedicated to Henry, that had 100 ingredients- & olive oil used to be called sallet/ salad oil...

[@Myah234]

Imagine being intimate with these people. Oh god. I feel terrible for our ancestors. Like us women and our cycles....how was that even enjoyable if they didn’t shower or bathe?!! Nope. No A/C or hygienic grooming...no brazilian waxing?! Fleas and lice everywhere.....nope. NOPE. I would have stayed celibate my entire life. My mouth is not going anywhere near that accumulated parasitic gunk. Nor are my equally gross neather parts.

[@tavarshia3122]

Pink eye must've been rampant.

[@ryanholcomb8001]

That’s probably why being a nun or monk was more popular back then

[@marquisdelafayette1929]

@@ryanholcomb8001 was just about to say that lol

[@SavageZebra67]

Enjoyable? Is that a pleasant thing today?

[@lalachenault8523]

"Nor are my equally gross nether parts"🤣🤣🤣🤣 Lol! Completely agree!

[@Argetmi]

Some say bathing was indeed dangerous due to untreated water full of cholera and feces bacterias, thriving in an overpopulated city and bad sewage system. That why many were drinking wine instead of water, which lead to alcoholism for many but it was safer than getting cholera or dysenthria .

[@marilia86100]

but boiling water is safer than tab water, I mean for bathing... I don't know if it was safe from these diseases after being boiled, just a thought...

[@KatsPurr]

Can you imagine how physically uncomfortable people must have been? Any of those things he listed, would be on their own already unbearable! But all of them together? Pile on top of that how uncomfortable the clothes in themselves must have been, good lord!

[@maxfernandes8559]

Imagine being a French peasant pleasing with Louis XiV dropping turds in his Commode

[@simonebethune4848]

yet they bred and shagged a plenty, lol

[@Dominik40301]

Also, since dental care was almost non existing, people lived most of their life in pain due to rotting teeth and couldnt eat food like meat or bread. King Luis not only had bad body odor he also had killer breath. Not to mention to live in place where you constantly smell poop and urine, we who live today have better life quality than King of France in 1600 and 1700s.

[@kotaniyumiko]

this is so cool Weird History! You should do a series on bath culture in Asia as a compliment to this someday. I know people in the Middle East and Japan loved baths, today both Korean and modern Japanese people are very conscious about hygiene and cleanliness.

[@patriciaecampbell372]

Ever been to the public toilets in China? 😱🤮

[@andrearandall7540]

Was just thinking that yay Asians :)

[@kuroyuri04]

In South East Asian, almost of its citizens always take a bath at least twice a day, depends on the circumstances. But for peoples who dislike to be sweaty, sometimes they can take a bath fourth a day. . . . Funnily, when a tourist from certain part of Europe came, they always said 'people of South East Asia is like a fish because they like to take a bath, using too much soap and shampoo. A fishes that like to destroy their environment because using too much detergent (inside the soap)'. How ironic~ 🙃🙃🙃

[@marwaqoura7804]

As a Middle Eastern ,people in Europe &America still find it very weird that we use water instead of toilet papers !! ..

[@marwaqoura7804]

@Slavic Melodies Eastern Europeans are very close to Middle Eastern culture and their "hygienic "ways till today

[@PandoraKyss]

Anyone who might find this interesting might also really dig the book 'Perfume - The Story of a Murder' by Patrick Süskind. It goes into dreadful detail about the various stenches that filled the streets of Paris in the mid-18th century, but it also goes into much 'prettier' fragrances that went into the art of perfuming.

[@appeasing]

I went to Versailles in the fall of 2019. Everything was so grand and opulent. It’s hard to imagine people just shitting and pissing everywhere 😆💩

[@divinecommerce3912]

That explains government for ya- looks pretty but they're all full of sh--

[@bluegenes2273]

To be fair, i'm sure they were grand and opulent shits.

[@angelasahin5420]

Agree I went in 2000 and it was beautiful. Now I can't imagine shit stained gold everywhere.

[@margaretdasilva5493]

I was there many years ago and it's VERY hard to imagine such a state of affairs.

[@tessafields6299]

Lmfao😂

[@kadajsnightqueen]

There was also the vermin situation. Bugs got in all the time, especially when the windows were open or even lacking glass. There’s one schadenfreude story about a noblewoman who had the severe misfortune of having a wasp fly in from an open window and up her skirt, resulting in it repeatedly stinging her on the thigh while she ran around screaming and begging for somebody to get it out of there.

[@pigeonified]

TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE! I once read an entire article about Louis XIV ' s "oral hygiene". After eating that big amounts of sugar and just pastries, he started suffering from cavities. His personal dentists had to extract his teeth, due to their condition. But they sometimes did it wrong, and because of that, his SKULL and GUM started to rot. They had to use hot steel utensils to get rid of that rotten part, but they failed, and made a big hole between his mouth and nose. Even after that, Louis still loved to eat. However, he couldn't eat hard things (he had lacking teeth), and thats why his personal cook created this meat pulp called pate. Because of that hole, it is said that while he was putting the pate into his mouth, there was always some coming out of his nose. It also smelled really bad when it got stuck inside, and he had some difficulty breathing. Pls tell me if there are many mistakes, and if you see any, tell me so I can correct myself.

[@vinnie906]

the average "old soul" person: "I was born in the wrong era, I wish I could live back then." the average 'warm water showers' enjoyer: "Nah, I'm good where I am."

[@georgiahogue8588]

I love this program. Not only do I learn things but I’m also entertained. Thank you.

[@LadyDecember]

3:38 I'm so mad at myself for completely losing it at _"Sacre-poo!"_ 🤣No fair, Weird History, I wasn't ready!

[@thegreatpotato6098]

Every time I watch a show or movie set in the past, I can't help but simply imagine how awful everyone smelled

[@valeriehartman3705]

That's what American movies seem to forget. Hollywood actors have super white teeth playing historical figures who had none.

[@nikemaraje5]

@@valeriehartman3705 byeeeee

[@valeriehartman3705]

@@nikemaraje5 WTF is wrong with you? Got a problem?

[@afiaowusuaa6890]

Same!!!

[@raykyogrou0358]

Thank god they haven't invented movies with smell yet

[@susangavaghan]

The building seems so beautiful, the way people dressed was lovely. Yet behind all this it was smelly and unhygienic. The lack of toilets must have been terrible.

[@Ocalif3]

I went to Château de Versailles - it was very impressive, but I did wonder where the restrooms were. Marie Antoinette’s room was massive with secret doors. Love the background music 🎶 Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Followed by other compositions. Loved seeing the famous Hall of Mirrors. The treaty of Versailles was signed there ending WWI.

[@jaybeetee5272]

Interestingly, this seems like something that was almost specific to Louis XIV. Even when you read about other palaces in the same time period, they're not *that* bad. And it sounds like by the time Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette came around, things had started to improve. I wonder if the Sun King had some kind of mental illness that contributed to the entire palace turning into a cesspit?

[@helene4397]

He thought like many of his era, that washing up with water was dangerous. Somewhat true since unclean water can give nasty diseases. But if he'd be able to see how we take care of our hygiene and grooming, he might think us as insane because we willingly wash ourselfs with water.

[@mariashaki89]

I believe it had to do with turning a hunting lodge into a palace for 3000 people and the poor planning that came with it. The successors recognized the issues and probably made some changes.

[@moonlights9146]

It’s really fascinating, in other parts of the world like Japan or China or Turkey, most of the Arab world bathing was a must, and still is. Romans had public baths everywhere too, it’s crazy how that even the king didn’t really wash himself …

[@braindedc0rpse]

It seems like most modern alleyways are a modern, small piece of Versailles.

[@saintvenus7185]

omg splatoon fan!

[@threefreaksonaleash6619]

😹😹😹😹🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️👏🏻

[@TOBYH]

ESPECIALLY IN S.F AND L.A

[@Toosck7216]

MY GOD! This is unbelievable (not only the french but saw some other Hygiene-related videos as well) how could they built these magnificent palaces and not think about how to get rid of waste? No one thought of at least not peeing and pooing in the corridors and stairways?? How could no one be in charge of disposing of dead animals? My GOD!!!

[@heyheytaytay]

I'd like to know the origins of why bad smells are usually illustrated as a green gas... LMAO.

[@seanv42]

Miasma theory. People believed that bad swamp gasses caused diseases. Swamp gas is associated with green, as green is the color of sickness and decay

[@archangel5627]

If you freeze methane gas, it actually has a greenish hue to it and methane doesn’t smell good.

[@maddog8621]

My farts actually do emerge as a visible green gas

[@bonniewilkie1317]

@@maddog8621 Bwahahaha👍

[@maddog8621]

@@bonniewilkie1317 IyamwhaddIyam!

[@quester09]

the tradition is continued on city buses worldwide.

[@awsomeboy360]

@Smoke you Out cuh In NY? I live in NYC and this never happens, so get out of here. And the republican run cities aren't well off either, NY is doing quite well compared to all of them.

[@brvndxxxn]

@@awsomeboy360 thank you!!!! I also live in NYC, since Republicans want to rule the world they should do a better job at cleaning it too.

[@Thalia_Rueli]

you guys arguing ab politics when the topic is sanitation. we don’t need to rely on the government to keep shit clean, this is the people’s country and if you care then pick up after yourself it’s not that hard. dispose of waste more properly and talk to your representative if you have ideas to improve it. we have the power not the government

[@awsomeboy360]

@Smoke you Out cuh That doesn't mean people are literally shitting in the streets. NYC always had rats. And poverty has been in decline for a while now.

[@yoeltogarmikael3278]

Why are we getting political?w

[@sterlingforbes3872]

There was a tv series named Versailles... it was awesome and one of my favorites... definitely worth checking out.

[@elMore1107]

I take back everything I said about living in this era 🤢

[@CCP-Lies]

Same

[@nikemaraje5]

Lol

[@j4m32hz6]

Nowadays them young princes would be removed by cps and palace condemned

[@amany3072]

Watching this the very moment I came back from visiting the palace of Versailles. Wear good shoes, a good winter jacket for the off season or a good raincoat. And marvel at how clean it is now! Worth it for all history buffs and art historians. Bisous from Paris!

[@livingbauer315]

I LOVE THESE VIDEOS. Especially British and French History.

[@Raynneboe]

Same!

[@deliveryboy]

Right up until they throw the saddest videos you’ve ever watched in your face 😭 But I still love them ♥️

[@miraalbertson]

Why? Their history is full of atrocities against mankind

[@livingbauer315]

@@miraalbertson It’s still history; people’s lives and beliefs. Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

[@livingbauer315]

@@miraalbertson besides, I could say the same thing about today’s day and age. It just depends on what you believe in.

[@ArturoGarcia-px1fi]

And they called themselves the civilized ones while calling the American natives savages when they (the natives) bathed twice a day.

[@krishertz8786]

Savior complex 💀

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

And? What did NA's ever achieve in comparison?

[@krishertz8786]

@@spaniardsrmoors6817 were they given the opportunities to achieve, they were mass murdered.

[@alkatraz706]

don't forget about the human sacrifices mate 😂😂

[@themelanatednomad6989]

@@spaniardsrmoors6817 You mean building overcrowded palaces just to shxxt in like the French “aristocracy”?

[@hope6571]

The combination of classic music in the background combined with a semi-serious sounding narrator talking about people pooping around the Versailles Palace has to be the most hilarious thing I ever experienced!

[@theFRACTALREIGN]

Timeline 2184: "Let's go back to the hygienically disturbing times of the year 2020'-21."

[@tylarsyddall286]

@@a_m5115 history doesn't generally look back on those who bow to authority and dispense with individual freedom to gain perceived safety very fondly.

[@tiffprendergast]

@@a_m5115 yup

[@mats7492]

@@a_m5115 nope.. They will laugh at us for acting like frightened chicken because of a disease with a 99.97% survival rate!

[@justsomerandomwatcher2226]

Hahahahahaha

[@emiLOVE2014]

Me and my sensitive nose could never. I don’t even like going into the bathroom after someone’s gone, I can’t imagine being surrounded by it.

[@justinebourke2811]

Visited this amazing place in 2002 and will never forget it's musty, powdery smell..

[@mud6866]

The stench will only disappear with the buildings themselves.

[@justinebourke2811]

@@mud6866 😅 well as much as I'd like to time-travel and experience the palace in it's heyday, I'd not want a nostrilfull of that- no way...the dirty b*st*rds! 😅😂 I can't believe they were crapping and pissing like that everywhere indoors..if I caught someone at that in my house I'd whip them ( after rubbing their noses in it)

[@mud6866]

@@justinebourke2811 hahah for real though! I might just take out my big leather belt for that!!

[@justinebourke2811]

@@mud6866 😂😂

[@07laines07]

Mildew from all of urine soaked walls…

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

Oh Versailles. Crazy how the beauty and the magnificence of the palace coincided with this type of hygiene! I'm happy just viewing the palace today without the stench instead of traveling back in time :)

[@jjvvmmh]

And they called us uncivilized *disgusted face*

[@Alenakip]

Wow, even Ancient Greece had a sewer system and one can find the first “flushing toilet” in the Knossos palace in Crete. Then there is also the famous sewer system of the Byzantine empire. All these hundreds and thousand years before Versailles. I don’t want to time travel anymore

[@latsnojokelee6434]

That was one of the benefits of bring a Roman or Greek - Most inventions come from others peoples inventions, so people from that part of the world were more technologically advanced than people in the Northern European countries. And you would’ve thought that the Europeans would’ve learned a lot when the Romans invaded and built aqueducts and toilets and baths, but when Rome fell, that ended the technically smarter people and Europe just regressed.

[@Bluey306]

i may want to time travel just so i can experience the earth's climate pre-industrialization and pre-climate change. just to see what it's all about and how people were able to wear the layers that they did back then.

[@maning04]

If ever any rich lady brags about their huge mansion like its almost the same as the palace of Versailles. Remind them to watch this video 😂

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

😂

[@kuroyuri04]

I bet, after that the rich lady would build-up at least a dozen hidden toilets inside her mansion. 😂😂🙃

[@slynn360]

Is this where the term "filthy rich" came from? 😂😂

[@tld8630]

Good one !..👏

[@sythiadawn]

Oh poop! You beat me to it!😂😂😂

[@thomashunter5707]

Probably they stank to high heaven and didn’t smell it or no who was causing the stink yuck 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RmnGnzlz]

The Internet ruined my fantasies of going back in time. Maybe I would still go to see prehistoric humans with a helicopter but that's it.

[@DammnDeejay]

Nah, gimme a portal that I can look into with binoculars 👀 I’m good

[@khanaratsadon]

Now you just accidentally changed the past by having ancient people worship helicopters

[@tokyo_taxi7835]

Pre-historic hunter gatherers would likely have been cleaner than the people at Versailles. Low population density, frequently moving, no rodents or pests to deal with. Maybe not to our level but definitely better than what would come later.

[@RmnGnzlz]

@@khanaratsadon That's dope. All fear the Choppa God.

[@martahajduk]

I'm watching Outlander, Anne with an A and others. Quite enough. I need my flush and toothbrush so I'd rather imagine living in different times than really do so

[@Lobster-Dish]

If I ever visit Versailles, I'll keep in mind not to touch anything....🤢🤮

[@almad4355]

It’s quite beautiful and interesting, but usually very crowded with tourists.

[@paulbastier3773]

I read somewhere that at that time the locals called the road to Versailles the Rue de Merde. You could smell it before you cold see it.

[@angelasahin5420]

I've been in 2000 and you can't touch anything. They cleaned it up hella properly. It's magnificent. Never would one guess

[@Ginevra-kl7mn]

not everything in this video is completely accurate. people did bathe themselves, just not as we do nowadays. before saying people in the past were nasty, just think that they simply didn’t have running water in their houses so having a bath was a luxury. they cleaned themselves every morning with a wet cloth and they had dental hygiene, obviously not as perfected as ours. cavities and stinky breath was really a problem with the nobles rather than everyone, because only if you were rich you could afford sugary foods. they also cleaned their hair, just not with shampoo and conditioner. people just want to feel superior to their predecessors, so in the victorian era every kind of rumor started spreading, especially about the middle ages. Versailles was certainly a very stinky place, but it was really about the hundred of horses nearby and dogs pooping everywhere. also, they definitely did not relieved themselves in every corner of the palace, they had a pot specifically for this, called chamber pot. I’m sure your grandma has something like that in their home. I know these rumours are very funny and quirky but they’re in fact false. people in the past were just like us. they didn’t like to feel greasy or nasty, so they cleaned themselves. they were not stinky-poopy aliens 🫣

[@sharonhoerr6523]

We just returned from a trip to France. We visited Versailles and there were few tourists, fortunate for us, but not so much the palace. Glad that I did not know about the poor hygiene at the time though.

[@hiveb1706]

Don’t worry now it’s clean lol

[@nikemaraje5]

It's clean now

[@peteredeoghon6457]

The video ideas they have in the intro are better than what I could ever make on this channel

[@diana-rq2vr]

Having been to Versailles, it is hard to believe that this type of thing went on there.

[@Cwgrlup]

Versailles palace is one of the most beautiful places to visit.

[@restock_1731]

Well, I made a terrible decision of watching this video while eating breakfast. 🤢🤣

[@PunkyPink85]

Same here 😭 Why did we decide to hurt ourselves?

[@depresso7414]

I am having dinner lol.

[@restock_1731]

Good thing I wasn't eating oatmeal. 🤣🤣

[@kat35lulu88]

I may skip dinner.

[@theravyshow2570]

put me off chocolate chips!

[@lilchopstixz2161]

Versailles smell was basically when you spray fabreeze after you poop

[@mud6866]

That is a fresh breeze compaired to V

[@stillsaltydeadguylul7318]

We call it shitris

[@dianachin4849]

Some people light incense in their bathroom after blowing it up 😆

[@matchit100]

Smell like a kipper nailed to the bathroom floor.

[@ultron374]

Great comment. I was laughing hard!!!!

[@owatson7648]

Interesting side note: I noticed when visiting the Louvre bathrooms were few and far between (and the Louvre is massive and always crowded), I wonder if this was because it was built during a time in French history when bathroom hygiene wasn’t seen as particularly important

[@machinegunjackmcgurn804]

The Roman's were much cleaner.

[@Ladymystique80]

@@a_m5115 at least they bathed regularly

[@apexstrength3797]

The vikings were cleaner. Showered twice a week I believe

[@miriam3848]

@@apexstrength3797 and Russians. Saunas were a weekly thing

[@jazzdazzle10]

The Indians were and are the most hygienic. We have always had a tradition of bathing twice a day(before offering prayers) and rinsing the mouth after every meal.

[@mud6866]

@@jazzdazzle10 yes, in a big poopy river. If a floater comes down you just step aside right?

[@patricemckinnie2267]

My high school history teacher taught us lots of weird facts about history. That’s why I like this channel so much weird history is a lot more interesting.

[@margokronzer4985]

The nice part about this information, it really makes you appreciate how things are, at least hygenically, today

[@peepeepoopoo8692]

The nice part is actually it being mostly false

[@kimskis]

a term "french kiss" probably had a whole new and challenging meaning back in those days lol...

[@simonebethune4848]

HHhorhk!🤮

[@VendErre]

This is truly incredible. What a fantastic bit of history.

[@jinx7501]

Yeah, this is the side of Versailles that has never made sense to me. An incredible palace, gorgeous wardrobes, ridiculously intricate court rules, but hey just do your business wherever and if you bathe then that's your cause of death.

[@jazuki2250]

This is how the wealthy lived! Imagine how much worse hygiene was for the average person during those times!

[@frenchbreadstupidity7054]

If your house is smaller you at least poo outsiden

[@mats7492]

Might’ve actually been better.. a lot of the People working were members of guilds who had strict rules about cleanliness when you worked with food (bakers for example HAD TO wash their hands before making bread)

[@LOLman21213]

it'd be good to live near a river

[@maribelvega8008]

I imagine the poor would have an out house away from the house like little house on the prairie lol which was smart

[@melophile_69]

Well for starters they are healthier because sweets were super expensive back then so hopefully their teeth were a little cleaner

[@CountryCarReviews]

King Louis a living god Reality: smelt worse than a hobo

[@CCP-Lies]

Lmao

[@jb8280]

Perfume:Story of a Murderer covers a bit of Paris army this time. The stench snd parfumeries. It’s an excellent film dedicated to smell.

[@cindyburrows8393]

I guess the Moors (who bathe every day) didn't quite reach them. They taught/showed the Spaniards and Portuguese how to bathe and brush their teeth etc. But the French took a while to catch on.

[@Armistead_MacSkye]

They refused it, vigorously. They were afraid to bathe.

[@Ssookawai]

We also used black soap, which was available because we have olive trees in north Africa and we used clay (called ghassoul) mixed with dried roses and other medicinal herbs/minerals. Until now, I try to use this type of mixed clay as much as I can because it's the only thing that truly neutralise any odour on my skin and keeps it totally clean and "light" (I can't described that lightness feeling, it's not like the one we have after using à shower gel). It's also à common practice to scrube our skin one a week our skin with a glove made of "rough" fabric (I saw that koreans use it too) and it gives true exfoliation for the skin... I don't get how people exfoliate with the exfoliant lotions, they don't give a satisfying result (not after being used to an exfoliating glove), maybe use them as a "finish" especially if they smell good.

[@laramateus2099]

Who taught you this? Portugal and Spain didn't even exist in that time When the Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula it was some germanic tribes that were in power. Also, the moors didn't teach anyone how to bathe and brush their teeth, the natives already did it. That's just a myth.

[@cindyburrows8393]

@@laramateus2099 Look it up...and not the European sources either. Moors ruled Spain and Portugal for almost 800 years...Between the 8th and 15th/16th Centuries. The Spot we now call Spain and Portugal. Doesn't matter what you call it....plumbing, baths etc.

[@laramateus2099]

@@cindyburrows8393 I did look it up and didn't find anything that you talked about. Where did you find that? You make it seems like they ruled the whole peninsula for all those centuries, which they didn't

[@vernabryant2894]

When you take a bath it refreshes a person and you feel better.If you have a sore it will instantly look better.You would think they would see that.

[@MsYippee123]

I'm so glad I'm alive during a time of A/C and indoor plumbing

[@davidcorruthers78]

No wonder there was always some outbreak of illness everyone was literally walking around in their own filth

[@elizabethlinsay9193]

I almost died laughing at the words "sacre pooh"!

[@krystalgomez2300]

I'd never be able to go see Versailles as elegant from now on

[@midnightrambler8866]

Then there's the syphilis EVERYONE had.

[@Armistead_MacSkye]

Even among nuns and priests (found in Scotland, excavated graves).

[@wellsengrey4768]

Now everytime you watch Medieval / Victorian themed movie, you start to imagine how they smell like.

[@kristofantal8801]

17th and 18th century is not medieval...

[@henrymiller5833]

The topic is neither medieval or victorian.

[@djherlockandfriends9973]

I am so grateful for the life and hygiene that we now have.

[@indigowolf556]

Well it sounds like a real nasty place to hang out. Interesting to know that the Royals didn't like to use hot water to take a shower or bathe. Kind of like some celebrities I have found out don't like to wash. That's really gross. I hope you do some more of these weird history videos they're really interesting

[@Aristocratic13]

Celebrities?

[@dongross6624]

I’ve read that many Hollywood celebrities stink to high Heaven.

[@hummingbird4235]

@@Aristocratic13 Ashton Kutcher and his wife rarely take showers

[@exaggeratedswagger7485]

@@Aristocratic13 yes, celebrities