Cleanliness in Geneva: The Struggle for Urban Hygiene in the 16th Century

Welcome to "Really Calvin, is this an ideal life? A historical podcast." In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating history of Geneva in the 16th century, a time when the city was grappling with cleanliness and hygiene issues. This podcast explores the challenges faced by Genevan authorities during the Reformation, from 1536 to 1600, in maintaining the cleanliness of the streets. Discover the ordinances put in place to compel residents to clean in front of their homes, the efforts to pave the streets, and the complex management of public toilets. We will also examine how these measures became crucial during plague epidemics, and how they shaped Geneva's urban environment. A captivating dive into the origins of urban hygiene and the persistent challenges of keeping a city clean in the face of its population's habits.

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Speaker #0 - All right, let's jump into another deep dive. And today we're going to be looking at something that might be a little bit unexpected. We're going to be diving into sanitation practices in 16th-century Geneva. 

Speaker #1 - Interesting

Speaker #0 - So, get ready to be surprised because what we think of as dirty medieval times might be a lot more complex than you think. And we're going to be using these amazing city council records from Geneva.

Speaker #1 - Oh, very cool. 

Speaker #0 - You know, minutes of meetings, ordinances, even complaints from grumpy neighbors. We've all have them. 

Speaker #1 - I love those. Those are always fun.

Speaker #0 - They're the best.

Speaker #1 - Yeah. Yeah. 

Speaker #0 - So these records really offer a fascinating glimpse into daily life. 

Speaker #1 - Yeah. 

Speaker #0 - Especially when it comes to everything that comes out of humans and animals. So imagine Geneva, bustling city, heart of the Reformation. John Calvin preaching his sermons. But also people tossing their scraps out the window, keeping manure piles in the street. How does that compute? Were they truly a dirty city or were they actually ahead of their time in terms of public health? That's what we're here to figure out. 

Speaker #1 - That's the question, isn't it?  It's interesting because when we think about waste disposal back then, it was very different. For one thing, there were no garbage cans as we know them. 

Speaker #0 - So just throwing it in the street? 

Speaker #1 - Pretty much. The word garbage wouldn't even exist for another 300 years. 

Speaker #0 - Oh, wow. Interesting. Okay, so no designated bins. But paved streets. I'm picturing something like those charming cobblestone streets you see in Europe, but with occasional surprises. 

Speaker #1 - Well, you're actually spot on. Yeah, by the mid-1500s, Geneva City Council was pushing hard to pave the streets. In fact, residents were required. to pave in front of their homes. The council saw this as a key step towards a cleaner, more orderly city. 

Speaker #0 - Okay, so maybe not the open sewers and piles of film. We often imagine. But what about those manure piles? The records mention them quite a bit. Were they just ignoring the smell? 

Speaker #1 - Well, the smell was definitely a concern, but it wasn't their only... motivation. So the city council actually saw manure as a valuable resource. Farmers would use it to fertilize their fields. 

Speaker #0 - Oh, so it's like pre-modern recycling. Interesting. 

Speaker #1 - Remember, this was long before the days of synthetic fertilizers. 

Speaker #0 - Oh, right. So that actually connects to the modern debate about composting and urban farming.  Who knew 16th-century Genevans were so eco-conscious? 

Speaker #1 - Well, and what's fascinating is their approach to waste wasn't simply about disposal. They were trying to integrate it back into the cycle of life. So it raises the question, what if their waste was actually less wasteful than our modern methods? 

Speaker #0 - It really makes you think, right? We were so focused on keeping things separate, trash here, compost there. But maybe there's something to be said for that more integrated approach. Okay. But I have to ask about those geese and pigs roaming the streets. Was that just part of the city's charm?

Speaker #1 - Not exactly. The city council minutes show them struggling to regulate these free ranging animals. They recognized that having livestock wandering around could contribute to unsanitary conditions, but it seems like it was a constant battle like trying to get people to pick up after their dogs today. 

Speaker #0 - So they were already grappling with that tension between individual freedoms and public health concerns. 

Speaker #1 - It's like a time capsule. 

Speaker #0 - Oh, it is. 

Speaker #1 -Like city planning dilemmas.

Speaker #0 - It really is. Fascinating. 

Speaker #1 - Yeah. And it wasn't just about the animals. The council records also reveal their concern for human waste disposal. 

Speaker #0 - Okay. Let's dive into that. 

Speaker #1 - Which, as you might imagine, was a bit more complex. 

Speaker #0 - Tell me about these "ayssances" and "privés", the terms that they used for toilets. 

Speaker #1 - So these terms provide a window into their sanitation infrastructure. Public toilets or *ayssances" were a source of constant debate. 

Speaker #0 - So where to put them? 

Speaker #1 - Where to put them? Placing them was a balancing act. Close enough for convenience, but far enough to avoid unpleasantness. 

Speaker #0 - Yeah. I can only imagine the complaints. Is the records mention anything? 

Speaker #1 - Unfortunately, that remains a bit of a mystery. Yeah. The records don't specify any cleaning methods. But what we do see are disputes between neighbors.  Over the placement and condition of private toilets. 

Speaker #0 - It seems some things never change. 

Speaker #1 - It seems not. 

Speaker #0 - Yeah, it's almost comforting to know that people have always been complaining about their neighbors. But it also humanizes these historical figures. They weren't just names in a textbook. They were dealing with real life problems, just like us. 

Speaker #1 - Yes. Yeah, it really does. And... those disputes over toilets highlight another recurring theme in city council records. Constant struggle to balance individual needs with the well-being of the community.

Speaker #0 - It's like that old saying. Your freedom to swing your fist. Ends where my nose begins.  Or in this case, maybe it's your freedom to have a smelly toilet. Ends where my fresh air begins. 

Speaker #1 - Exactly. And it's fascinating to see how the city council tried to navigate these issues. They're constantly weighing competing interests and making decisions that impacted the lives of everyone in Geneva. 

Speaker #0 - So they were like early urban planners, grappling with the same dilemmas we face today. Things like zoning laws, noise ordinances, even building codes, speaking of which, I'm curious about those plague outbreaks they were dealing with. How did that impact...

Speaker #1 - Well, you have to remember that their understanding of disease was very different from ours. They didn't have the germ theory of disease.

Speaker #0 - Okay! So they didn't know about... 

Speaker #1 - They didn't know about bacterial and viruses. 

Speaker #0 - So how did they explain the spread of illness?

Speaker #1 - They had various theories often involving bad air or imbalances in the body, but they did recognize that filth and disease often went hand in hand. That's why they were so focused on keeping the streets clean and regulating things like that. Manure piles and stray animals. 

Speaker #0 - Like the pre-scientific versions of public health initiatives. 

Speaker #1 - Precisely. 

Speaker #0 - They were trying to control what they could, even if they didn't fully understand the mechanisms behind it. 

Speaker #1 - And this brings us to one of the most striking examples of their efforts to combat disease. The order to kill all stray dogs and cats in the city in 1543. 

Speaker #0 - That seems incredibly harsh. 

Speaker #1 - It was a drastic measure. 

Speaker #0 - I mean, I know they were dealing with a plague outbreak.

Speaker #1 - Absolutely.

Speaker #0 - But, still... 

Speaker #1 - But you have to remember the context, plague was a terrifying and deadly disease that they were desperate to stop its spread. And based on their understanding at the time, they believed that animals could transmit the disease. 

Speaker #0 - It's a reminder that our perception of what's ethical and acceptable is constantly evolving. What seems barbaric to us today, might have been seen as a necessary act of public health back then. 

Speaker #1 - It also highlights the power of fear in shaping public policy when people are afraid. They're often willing to accept measures that they might otherwise find objectionable. 

Speaker #0 - Right. 

Speaker #1 - But let's shift gears a bit. While those drastic measures stand out. It's important to remember that the city council was also engaged in more mundane but equally important sanitation efforts.

Speaker #0 - Like what. 

Speaker #1 - For instance, the records detail. Their efforts to ensure that private toilets, those "privés" we were discussing earlier, were properly constructed and maintained. They even had inspectors who would go into people's homes to check for compliance.

Speaker #0 - Talk about invasive...

Speaker #1 - They would certainly raise some eyebrows.

Speaker #0 - Would you imagine a city inspector coming into your home today to check your toilet...

Speaker #1 - But for them it was all part of their mission to create a healthier and more sanitary city, and while their methods might seem intrusive to us, they did reflect a genuine concern for the well-being of the community.

Speaker #0 - So, they were basically walking a tightrope between personal freedom and public health. 

Speaker #1 - Exactly. 

Speaker #0 - Just like we do today. It's amazing to think about those parallels. 

Speaker #1 - That's precisely what makes these historical records so relevant. They remind us that the challenges we face today are not entirely new. They're part of a long and complex human story. And understanding that story, can give us valuable insights into our own time. 

Speaker #0 - So what can we learn from those 16th-century Genevans? Had their manure piles and well questionable methods best control, but they're also striving to create yeah a clean and healthy environment. What's the takeaway here?

Speaker #1 -  I think the key takeaway is that yeah progress isn't always linear. The Genevans might not have had our scientific understanding of disease or our technological solutions, but they were making genuine efforts to improve their lives. And in some ways, their approach to waste management with its emphasis on reuse and integration might actually be more sustainable than our current practices. 

Speaker #0 - So maybe those manure piles weren't so bad after all.

Speaker #1 - It's all a matter of perspective, right?

Speaker #0 - Yeah. What seems gross to one generation might be seen as animative. 

Speaker #1 - Absolutely. 

Speaker #0 - Or even eco-friendly by another. 

Speaker #1 - Absolutely. 

Speaker #0 - Yeah. It really makes you wonder what future generations will think of our plastic water bottles and our... disposable coffee cups. 

Speaker #1 - I wouldn't be surprised. It's all about perspective and the evolution of societal norms. What we consider clean or dirty is constantly being redefined by new knowledge, technology and cultural values. 

Speaker #0 - So as we wrap up our deep dive into the sanitation practices of 16th-century Geneva, what's the big picture takeaway for you? 

Speaker #1 - I think it's a reminder to be humble about our own assumptions. You know, we often look at the past and judge it through the lens of our modern sensibilities. But these city council records show that, even in a time that we might consider primitive, people were grappling with complex issues, and striving for a better life. 

Speaker #0 - It's like that saying, don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes. Or maybe in this case, don't judge a city's sanitation practices until you've smelled their manure pile. 

Speaker #1 - It's all about context and understanding. And I think that's the beauty of history. It challenges us to step outside of our own time and place and see the world through different eyes. 

Speaker #0 - It's been a fascinating journey, hasn't it? 

Speaker #1 - It has. 

Speaker #0 - We went from picturing filthy streets to uncovering a surprisingly complex system of waste management and public health initiatives. Who knew those 16th-century Genevans were so forward thinking? 

Speaker #1 - They were dealing with many of same fundamental challenges that we face today with different tools and understanding and their efforts to balance individual freedoms with the well-being of the community. 

Speaker #0 - Are just as relevant now as they were back then. So the next time you're tempted to complain about taking out the trash, sorting your recycling, think of those Genevans and their manure piles. It might just give you a new perspective on our modern conveniences. 

Speaker #1 - And maybe even inspire you to be a little more mindful of your own impact on the environment. After all, history shows the choices we make today will shape the world for generations to come. 

Speaker #0 - Well said. And on that note, we'll leave you to ponder the sanitation practices of the future. 

Speaker #1 - All right. 

Speaker #0 - Think of us. 

Speaker #1 - I don't know. 

Speaker #0 - Only time will tell. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into this surprisingly fascinating world of 16th-century sanitation. 

Speaker #1 - It's been fun. 

Speaker #0 - Until next time. Keep exploring, keep questioning and keep diving deep. 

Speaker #1 - Dive deep.

Geneva at the Reformation: a clean city habited by respectful people?

By Dr. Christophe Chazalon (2025)

We all know that under the Ancien Régime, waste management was not optimal. In general, the population threw their waste or dirty water into the street, without much concern for passers-by. Of course, all waste was organic and therefore biodegradable, but it nonetheless rotted in place, namely where people came and went, on foot, on horseback, in carriages of all kinds. The smell, for its part, must not have been the most pleasant… at least for our noses today. remember that it wasn't until January 1884 that a prefect in France named Eugène Poubelle introduced the obligation to put one's waste in a box intended for this sole purpose, a box that would derisively take his name.
What about Geneva at the time of the Reformation? Did people also throw their waste in the street? Were the streets paved? And were there public toilets?
In a rather quick way, we can say, according to the mentions collected in the Registers of the Councils of Geneva, that the Genevan women, the Genevan men and other inhabitants of the city were not very careful about where they put their waste. The Seigneury reiterates every year the public ordinances imposing on everyone to clean in front of their house. Moreover, in the 1540s, it will impose on the inhabitants to pave the front of their house, business or other premises, the rest being the responsibility of the municipality. So yes, the streets in Geneva were paved, thus avoiding mud and allowing greater ease of movement, without forgetting the aesthetic side which should not be neglected. But people continued to throw their things out the window, into the street, as always. Many of them even kept a pile of manure (the current compost) which they then used to enrich the soil of their own garden. We no longer count the times when the Seigneury demands their removal from the street during the second half of the 16th century. Moreover, people did not hesitate to raise pigs or geese in the street, animals that were free and not enclosed. And here again, the Seigneury imposed the cessation of these actions deemed harmful for life in the city.
But if these measures requested again and again by the authorities aim at better hygiene, at the cleanliness of the city, they are even more important in times of plague, because at that time, it is thought that the garbage left in the streets is the cause of propagation or at least promotes it.
Thus, an officer of the city will even be asked to kill all the stray dogs and cats in the city, in May 1543, while the plague is in full swing.
Finally, public toilets. They are then called "aisances" or "privés" (conveniences or privies). They are either public or private, and this is also a difficult problem for the authorities to manage, because the smell leads to complaints from the population on the one hand, this same population which demands public toilets on the other hand. The whole difficulty lies in the location of these toilets. They must be both close to the houses (therefore in the city) for easy and quick access, and at the same time far from the houses for the insalubrity they cause and the persistent odors, especially in summer. If the Registers of the Councils mention the recurring request for street cleaning and the removal of manure that persists in growing within the walls of the city, they never mention a cleaning of the toilets. So we do not know how these were managed. This is not the case for private toilets, because following several neighborhood conflicts, it is decided to clean those that pose a problem or to move them.
So, the cleanliness of the streets at the time of the Reformation had nothing to do with that of today, because the waste, again, all organic, was thrown there directly without complexes. Today, we have garbage cans and in Geneva, we even clean the streets with water. But on the other hand, plastic waste has made its appearance and it is not biodegradable. The smells must have been strong in the streets, especially in the hot season, but for a Genevan from the time of Calvin who would come to visit us, for sure, he/she would find that the City of Calvin of the 21st century stinks, because, in particular, of cars and other gasoline vehicles. So everything is relative.
The only thing that seems not to have evolved since the 16th century is the filth and the stinking smell of public toilets which today are no better than those of our ancestors.

QUOTATIONS FROM PRIMARY SOURCES

A.E.G., R.C. 31, fol. 84 / R.C. impr., n.s, t. II/1, p. 372 / 02 novembre 1537
(Oyes ; Pourcz) — Icy, sus le propos de la demande de Debvelly et des aultres de Collogny a cause qu’il sont gaigés pour leurs chievres, est arresté qu’il poyent ; et plus oultre, que par ceste ville, les guedz doegent prendre le porcs et les oyes et faire nectoyer les femmiers, comment il scaivent que sont les vielles ordonnances.

A.E.G, R.C. 32, fol. 137 / R.C. impr., n.s, t. III/1, p. 389 / 03 septembre 1538
(Guyot Vuydat) — Lequelt az proposé luy volloyr abergé aut admodié laz plache aut soley, estre l’Ecorchery de grand Meyssel, aut admodié pour fere ung petit jerdin pour se allimenté et nourry ses enfans. Resoluz, pour ce que sed l’ayssance des gens desa dessus, que l’on ne le peult abbergé, mes qu’il regarde aultre part

A.E.G, R.C. 33, fol. 115 / R.C. impr., n.s, t. IV/1, p. 210 / 09 mai 1539
(Porte Tartasse) — Az cause de mecstre les imondicités dehors, resoluz que l’on ouvre le guinchet dempuys 8 jusqu’az quattre heures et que chennes soyent tendues.

A.E.G, R.C. 44, fol. 171 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. V/1, p. 226 / 09 avril 1540
(Pernetaz, relexiaz de Pierre Magistri, notayre) — Laquelle az proposez coment elle az cause de laz moyson des Terraulx assize az Sainct-Gervex, laquelle appartient az l’evesque Lambert, auprès de laquelle Tyvent Chenuz fayct mecstre son femyer, lequelt redonde aut groz detriment d’icelle moyson, priant luy fere deffence de ce depourter de cella. Resoluz qui luy soyt fayct comandement qu’il n’aye az mecstre son femyer aut près d’icelle moyson.

A.E.G, R.C. 35, fol. 172v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VI/1, p. 229 / 22 avril 1541
(Laz porte Tartasse) — Pour eviter mondicité, resoluz que l’on fasse ung guinchet en la porte Tartasse.

A.E.G, R.C. 35, fol. 203v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VI/1, p. 272 / 14 mai 1541

(Mandement) — Fayct mandement aut tressorier de lyvrer az maystre Jaques Messiez, masson, pour 58 toyses de pavement qu’il az fayct entre les deux portes Sainct-Anthoenne, az six solz laz toyse, monte vingt et neufz florins.

A.E.G, R.C. 35, fol. 259v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VI/1, p. 360 / 11 juillet 1541
(Des rues) — Ordonné que les cryes soyent exequutés contre cieulx que n’ont fayct nectoyer les rues devant leur moyson.

A.E.G, R.C. 35, fol. 275 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VI/1, p. 383 / 06 août 1541
(Mandement) — Fayct mandement aut tressorier de lyvrer az maystre Jaque Meffier, masson, pour le pavement qu’il az fayct vers le pont du Rosne, en laz plache aut il estoyt laz chapelle appellé Nostre-Dame, 38 ff.

A.E.G, R.C. 36, fol. 120 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VII/1, p. 456 / 13 septembre 1542 / 200
(Des rues) — Ordonné que les rues sont nectoyés et la commission soyt ballié à Pierre Roph, de cella deyjà ayant charge.

A.E.G, R.C. 36, fol. 120v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VII/1, p. 458 / 13 septembre 1542
(Cryes) — Ordonné de fere cryes que ung chacun aye à nectoyer les rues pour autjourdhuy, tout le jour, sus poienne de troys solz et perdicion du femier appliquer à l’Hospital.

A.E.G, R.C. 36, fol. 124v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VII/1, p. 466 / 19 septembre 1542
(Les enfants de feuz Michel Sept) — Sur ce qu’il hont prier leur permecstre de tenyr le femier devant leur moyson de Sainct-Gervex, resoluz que tant eulx que aultres doybgent oster lesdictz femiers par les rues et reduyre icyeulx hors la ville.

A.E.G, R.C. 36, fol. 130 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VII/1, p. 476 / 26 septembre 1542
(P. Roph) — Lequelt a prier luy donné quelque accoustrement et de son povoyer il exercera son office de fere oster les femiers des rues et conduyre les povres à l’Hospital. Sur quoy resoluz qu’il doybge affané sa vie aux terraulx de la ville et que il soyt donné à ses enfans troys pain pour sepmaenne, et les guet ayent charge de fere oster les femiers, et Justin, lequelt demore à l’hospital du Sainct-Esperit, aye à retiré et conduyre les povres.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 37 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VIII/1, p. 132 / 18 mars 1543
(Cieulx quil hont mys imondicités aux sellies estant mises par les rues) — Ordonné que telles gens quil hont mys telles imondicités, par les rues, aux sellies d’eau pour secorir le feuz, soyent mys prisonyers et que l’on les fasse respondre.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 81 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VIII/1, p. 222 / 1^er mai 1543
(Cryes) — Ordonné de renovellé les cryes de nectoyer les rues.
(Les doyes) — Resoluz que les doyes et aultres lieuz neccessaires soyent visités affin de mecstre ordre tel qu’il n’y ae nulle imondicité, pour eviter maulvayses puanteurs, et la charge a esté donné aut soultier et maystres jurés.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 100 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VIII/1, p. 255 / 21 mai 1543
(Chiens et chat) — Pour eviter plus grand inconveniens, ordonné que tous chiens et chact que seront trouvés par la ville soyent tués, et Johan Blan, guex, aye charge de cella fere, et luy soyt donné ung solz pour chien qu’il tuera.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 106 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VIII/1, p.  / 25 mai 1543
(Nectoyer les rues publicques) — Ordonné que les guex doybgent allé gagé cieulx que ne auront obayr aux cryes de nectoyer les rues devant chez eulx.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 163v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VIII/1, p. 366-367 / 24 juillet 1543
(Cryes ; Infections des bestes) — Ordonné de fere cryes que nul ne aye à mecstre beste morte dans les Franchises synon qu’il le ayent à enterré, sus poienne de lx s., pour eviter la puanteur.
[…]
(Nectoyer les rues) — Que l’on aye à tenyr necstes les rues et ne permecstre imondicité sus poienne de troys solz.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 258 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. VIII/1, p. 517 / 30 octobre 1543
(Les rues près le temple de la Magdeleine) — Ordonné de fere comandement aux voysins desdictes rues qu’il ayent à nectyer icelles, synon seront à la poienne des cryes.

A.E.G, R.C. 37, fol. 162 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. IX/1, p. 269 / 14 avril 1544
(La moyson de Rive) — En laquelle l’on tien l’eschole et l’on a refferus qu’elle [est] fort mal en ordre, et qu’il a beaucopt de immondicité, que pourroy porter domage aux enfans que demorent en l’escole. Et, sur ce, ordonné que, apprès disné, les seigneurs scindicques et conselliers doybgent allé visité l’affere, et, de cella, fere relation, pour en conclorre demaen en Conseyl.

A.E.G, R.C. 38, fol. 173v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. IX/1, p. 292 / 24 avril 1544
(Des bestes mortes) — Ordonné, pour eviter toute infection, que il ne soyt permys à persone de mecstre des bestes mortes par les chemyns qu’il ne soyent enterrés, et cieulx que les il hont mys soyent chastiés jouxte les cries.

A.E.G, R.C. 38, fol. 258v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. IX/1, p. 431 / 20 juin 1544
(Pavemens de la ville) — Sur ce que le contreroleur Mallagnyo a refferus qu’il a fayct pavyé la place de la Fusterie, et qu’il illya different que poyera cella, ordonné que les places de la ville soyent pavys aux despens de la Ville, et que ung chascun endroyct sa moyson ainsin que son avantoyl combien soyent tenuz fere pavyr ce que sera neccessaire à leur despens. Et a esté ordonné de ballié pour teyse de pavyr et repavyr six solz, tant pour la Ville que pour les particuliers. Et là où il sera expedient, le contrerolleur doybge fere pavyr aux despens comment dessus.

A.E.G, R.C. 39, fol. 34v° / R.C. impr., n.s., t. IX/1, p. 720-721  / 10 novembre 1544
(La doye devers Rive) — Et, sur ce que ledictz Ramel a prié luy permecstre clorre ladicte doye, pource que l’on il mest plussieurs immondicité, ordonné que l’Hospital la doybge fere clorre et doybge retiré la druge pour mecstre aux possessions dudictz Hospital.

A.E.G, R.C. 39, fol. 77 / R.C. impr., n.s., t. IX/1, p. 794 / 22 décembre 1544
(Femiers pour la ville) — Ordonné que l’on doybge osté les femyers estant par la ville dans troys jours, synon l’Hospital les retirera.

A.E.G, R.C. part. 1, fol. 242v° / 13 janvier 1545
(La vefve de Michiel Sept contre Domenne Franc) — Sus la contencion estant entre eulx por le nectoyement d’aulcunes essances dont ladicte vefve a presenté l’ordonance faicte en Conseyl, requerant icelle observé, ordonné que l’on demore jouxte le contenuz de ladicte ordonance, et si led. Fran ce tient grevé, en venant demandé justice, sera faicte encore une aultre visitacion de leur contencion.

A.E.G, R.C. part. 1, fol. 246v° / 23 janvier 1545
(La donné Batesarde contre Domenne Fran) — Laquelle a exposé qu’elle a obayr aut commandement à luy faict et a fayct reply, ce que luy a esté comandé, mes que le seigneur Domenne Fran ne luy veult ovryr sa moyson por nectoyer les essances. Ordonné que le soultier doybge allé fere commandement audictz Fran de ovryr, sus poienne de lx s. et de l’indignacion de la Seygneurie.

A.E.G, R.C. 39, fol. 122 / 03 février 1545
(Les femiers par la ville) — Ordonné que les femiers que sont par la ville et semblablement cieulx que sont dernier la Moyson de la Ville soyent ostés dans troys jours, synon que l’Hospital il fera conduyre ailleurs.

A.E.G, R.C. 40, fol. 91v° / 23 avril 1545
(Les essances de chieuz Pecho) — Ordonné que le soultier les doybge allé fere mecstre bas, pour l’ymnondicité etc.

A.E.G, R.C. 40, fol. 100v°-101 / 1er mai 1545
(Cries) — Et ausy, a esté ordonné de fere cries que nul infecs n’aye à venyr dans la ville avant (fol. 101) son terme. Ordonné, sus poienne de demoré dehors par six moys.
Et semblablement, que ung chascun aye à tenyr et fere nectoyer les rues tous les sambedy, sus poienne de 3 s.

A.E.G, R.C. 40, fol. 164 / 26 juin 1545
(Pont du Rosne) — Ordonné que led. pont soyt mys en son entier et que les contreroleurs suyvent à cella, et qui soyt adviser de le pavys de pierre dempuys la porte du pont du Rosne jusque à l’Isle.

A.E.G, R.C. 40, 191 / 23 juillet 1545
(Le pont du Rosne) — Pource que le pontonier du point du Rosne sed plaint à cause que ilz az plussieurs pertuys, ordonné que ilz soyt commandé au seigneur contrerolleur qui le face acoustrer led. point.

A.E.G, R.C. 40, 219v° / 20 août 1545
(Les maistre juré pour n. Anthoenne Girbel contre Burnet Prieur) — Sus le different estant à cause des aysance estant entre les maison dudictz seigneur Girbel et le seigneur de Lexchereynaz ordonné par les maistre juré, ainsi qu’est contenuz en leur relations, laquelle ouye, a esté ordonné que l’ong ce tient à ce qui az esté faict, de quoy lesdictes parties hont requis leurs donné le double, affin de les savoir conduyre sur cella.

A.E.G, R.C. 41, fol. 31v° / 1er mars 1546
(Les privés de Rive) — Pour la comodité des escholiers, ordonné que les privés et ayssances dud. Rive soyent reparés et mises en ordre.

A.E.G, R.C. 41, fol. 205 / 23 septembre 1546
(Les enfans de feuz seigneur Amyed Bandiere) — Lesqueulx entretiennent ung femier devant leur grange, vers Rive, sus la rue publicq. Ordonné qui leur soyt faict comandement de l’hoster sus poienne etc.

A.E.G, R.C. 42, fol. 78 / 05 avril 1547
(Cries) — Resoluz que cries soyent faictes que ung chascun aye à nectoyer les rues etc.

A.E.G, R.C. 42, fol. 214v° / 15 août 1547
(Les fustiers) — Lesqueulx estendent le boys par la place du Mollars et Fusterie et Longemale, et occupent icelles. Ordonné que la crie soyt faicte estictes places que dans troys jours il doybgent oster leurdictz boys et le reposé à l’entour du Rosne, aut lieu et places à ce anciennement deputés. Et que l’on fasse oster le femier estant par lesdictes troys places.

A.E.G, R.C. 42, fol. 221 / 19 août 1547
(Femiers) — Ordonné de fere oster les femyers que sont par les places et res publicques.

A.E.G, R.C. 43, fol. 100 / 25 mai 1548
(Le secretaire de Ripha) — Ayant entendu sa proposite et requeste etc., ordonné que les seigneurs Pernet de Fosses, conscindicque, Jehan Chaultemps et Jaque Des Ars doybgent allé visité la place que ledict de Ripha et aultres demandent leur abbergé vers la porte Tartasse, et doybgent bones et termes et advisé combien la tayse vouldra, et du prys que l’on aura soyent fayct fere des ayssances.

A.E.G, R.C. 44, fol. 127v° / 10 juin 1549
(Cries) — A esté ordonné que nul n'aye à mecstre terre par les rues ny moyens mecstre aut port du Rosne, mès telles terres et regies doybgent fere charriés aut dernier des murallies noves, sus poienne de cinq solz pour une chescune berrocte.

A.E.G, R.C. 44, fol. 265v° / 14 novembre 1549
(La place dernier la chappelle du Cardinal) — L'on a rappourter que plussieurs gens vont dernier la chappelle du Cardinal, là ilz font toutes infamie et aussi mectent là toutes ordures, dont les estrangiers vont quelque fois visités et trouvent le lieu bien infame etc. Arresté que l'on doibje advertir le maistre des enffans de non ilz aller et aussi que le guex Furgod s'ent doibje prendre garde et faire les cries etc.

A.E.G, R.C. 45, fol. 9v° / 23 mai 1550
(Aysances à S.-Gervais) — Sus la supplication de ceulx de la rue S.-Gervais, qu’il demandent que l’on leur face des aisances et espoyseux comment aultre fois est esté arresté etc., sur quoy est arresté que maintenant l’on n’y peult entendre.

A.E.G, R.C. 45, fol. 57 / 28 juillet 1550
(Pavement des places et rues publicques) — Sur ce que plussieurs se lamentent des maulvais pavement et chemins qui sont par les rues, requerant ilz provoistre, sur quoy advisé et arresté qui soit commis le seigneur conterolleur Mallaignyod, le soultier et qu'en visytant, ilz facent commandement de reparer dans dix jour, sus la poyenne etc., et que se que sera de la Seigneurie soyt aussi reparer etc.

Find out more about hygiene and street cleanliness under the Ancien Régime:

• Bas van BAVEL / Oscar GELDERBLOM, "The economic origins of cleanliness in the Dutch Golden Age", Past and present, n° 205, 2009/11, pp. 41-69   (web)
• Douglas BIOW, The culture of cleanliness in Renaissance Italy, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2006, 512 pp.
• Alfred FRANKLIN, Paris et les Parisiens au Seizième siècle: Paris physique, Paris social, Paris intime, Paris: Émile-Paul Frères, éditeurs, 1921, 536 p.  (web)
• Filip HAVLICEK / Adéla POKORNA / Jakub ZALESAK, "Waste management and attitudes towards cleanliness in Medieval Central Europe", Journal of landscape ecology, 2017, p. 266-287   (web)
• Christophe JUHEL, "Hygiène et propreté des rues de Perpignan au XVIII^e siècle", in Gilbert LARGUIER (éd.), Questions de santé sur les bords de la Méditerranée: malades, soignants, hôpitaux, représentations, en Roussillon, Languedoc et Provence, XVI^e-XVIII^e siècles, Perpignan (FR): Presses universitaires de Perpignan, 2015 , pp. 15-34   (web)
• Nicolas LYON-CAEN / Raphaël MORERA, "Naissance, réorganisation ou formalisation d'un système d'information? La propreté des rues de Paris, XVI^e-XVIII^e siècles", Flux, n° 111-112, 2018, pp. 44-56   (web)
• Leona J. SKELTON (ed.), Sanitation in urban Britain 1560-1700, London / New York: Routledge, 2016, 218 p.
• Lynn THORNDIKE, "Sanitation, baths, and street-cleanin in the Middle Ages and Renaissance", Speculum, vol. 3, n° 2, 1928/04, pp. 192-203   (web)
• Holly TUCKER, City of light, city of poison: murder, magic, and the first police chief of Paris, New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2017/03, 336 p.