They roamed the streets, becoming part of the scenery, the noise, and the smell of Paris. These shadowy workers have gradually disappeared, swept away by progress, machines, or simply time. Yet, each one tells a fragment of the capital’s history, from its muddy cobblestones to its glowing streetlamps. Here are ten Parisian trades that have now vanished, but were once essential.
The Waker
Before alarm clocks, there were wakers. How did the wakers wake up? We don’t know, but for them, any means were fair to pull workers from the arms of Morpheus: throwing peas, stones, and tapping canes against windows… This profession started in the East End of London, in the working-class neighborhoods, and it has now completely disappeared. That said, we wouldn't mind a little revival on those tough Monday mornings.
The Town Crier
Before push notifications and newspapers, there was him. A true news feed from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the town crier wandered the streets, bellowing the day's news, royal decrees, or death announcements. Often perched in a square or at the corner of a market, he drew in the curious with his bell or drum before delivering the news out loud. In short, he was the first community manager of Paris.
The Free Rider
The strike was surely their worst nightmare. Before automatic free riders, bowling alleys employed teenagers to set up the fallen pins at the end of the lane.
The Shoeshiner
We all know about shoeshiners, but what about the shoe cleaners? They were a bit less known, but super helpful on rainy days when the streets got muddy. They cleaned both the cobblestones and the shoes of Parisians!
The Ragman
He was the essential figure on the streets of Paris, the 19th-century garbage collector. The ragman would collect used materials to sell them. Sunday's rabbit skins, rags, scrap metal—everything was piled up in his cart, which he dragged through the streets. This job faded from the Parisian scene with the establishment of the waste recovery system.
The Knife Sharpening Man
The sharpest knife wasn’t hiding in a drawer, but rather in his cart. He was a bit like the Uber of the early 20th century! He traveled through the streets of towns to sharpen the blades for merchants and restaurateurs.
The Rat Catcher
It seems that the city rat is fiercer than the country rat. Overwhelming the streets by the thousands in the early 21st century and spreading diseases, they prompt the Paris council to organize a rat extermination contest. They call upon the Borgias of rats, specialists in poisons to get rid of them!
The Lamplighter
Paris, the city of light. We owe this saying to the lamplighters. In the 18th century, Louis XIV decided to introduce public lighting to combat insecurity in the city. Long before electricity, men roamed the streets morning and night to light and extinguish the street lamps.
The Ticket Puncher
We all have in mind the wacky ticket puncher from the Pôle Express. Those in Old Paris might not have been quite as eccentric, but their job was still essential in the underground. Stationed at the gates of the metro, they punched little holes in the passengers' tickets. This job disappeared for good in 1973.
The Guardian Angel
He was a bit like the Sam of yesteryear. He didn’t drink, and he didn't drive either. But it was just the same. Often employed by bar owners or alcohol vendors, he would safely walk tipsy clients back to their homes.
