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TRAVELLING
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COACHES

Already as early as 1672, the first coaches were circulating, based on a proposition by Blaise Pascal. Only in 1828, coaches were used for public transportation in Paris. They were painted in various colors and carried names like "Dames Blanches", "Orléanaises", "Hirondelles", "Gazelles" etc. After that, the “Impériales” appeared, a 15-seater coach with additional seats on the upper deck.

According to a handwritten note by Daumier found on a copy of the print DR 784 at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, a cuckoo (le coucou) was a two-wheeled carriage serving the outskirts of Paris. This service continued to exist even after the introduction of the railway system. A "rabbit" (le lapin) was the synonym for an additional passenger beyond the officially allowed 5 or 6 travellers


OMNIBUS

As of 1828 public buses started to circulate in the streets of Paris in any weather. They were privately owned and serviced the most profitable routes in town. Each carriage was drawn by two horses. In 1835, only one transport company remained. To increase the capacity of the buses, seats on two decks were installed, which caused the passengers some problems in bad weather.

In 1835, according to Provost, 378 buses carried 100’000 passengers per day for a nominal fee of 6 sous (30 centimes). There were 16 seats in a bus. Passengers who were drunk or smoking were not allowed to enter the bus, and it was not permitted to take dogs along. In 1855, all the bus lines were joined.


TRAVELS

Travelling on the new trains became an ever increasing risk. Passengers were frequently mugged, a fact which greatly harmed the image of this new and popular means of transportation.


TRAINS

Although Lamartine had tried to have the French railroad system nationalized, the Government decided in July 1838 to grant three railroad concessions for the lines Paris-Le Havre, Paris-Orléans, and Paris-Strasbourg. In 1839, some of the private railroad companies got into financial problems due to high construction costs. The government agreed to a guarantee for 40 years with an interest by the State of 4%. The Paris-Orléans line became a modern cooperative, where the stakes were divided between private and public shareholders.

The train connection Paris-Orléans was built from 1837 to 1843. The speed of the trains was very moderate and the interior similar to horse carriages. Trains were not allowed to stop outside of train stations. Scientists of the period predicted serious brain damage of the passengers caused by the excessive speed of 25 km/h (15 miles per hour).

The trains of this time offered three different classes: The "Coupé" (1st class) at 2 francs for the trip Paris - St. Germain, the "Diligence" or "Berline" (2nd class) at 1,50 francs, and the open-air "Wagon" (3rd class) at 1 franc. The 1st class was occupied only by 1% of the passengers. The lines between Paris and Orléans as well as Paris and Rouen were inaugurated on May 2 and 3, 1843.

In the summertime the railways offered special trips from Paris to the sea to places like Rouen and Le Havre. Departure in Paris was every Saturday at 6:25 p.m., arrival in Le Havre at 11:30 p.m. Passengers from Rouen could join the train on the way. The return trip was on Sunday at 6:25 p.m. and arrival in Paris was at 11:50 p.m. The price for this trip was in 1st class 28 francs and in 2nd class 22 francs. Tickets were delivered free of charge at the residence of the passengers. The 3rd class carriages had petrol lamps, while candles and lanterns were rented out to passengers.


FARES FOR TRAIN AND BUS RIDES

In 1835 the price for an unlimited bus ride in Paris was 6 sous (=30 centimes).
In 1848 the price for traversing of the Pont des Arts bridge was 1 sou (=5 centimes) see LD 1328.
In 1852 the price for a train ride from Paris to Rouen was 10 francs in 3rd class and 13 francs in 2nd class.
In 1853 the price for a bus ride in Paris with the Omnibus “Impériale” was 15 centimes.
In 1854 the price for a bus ride in Paris was 15 centimes. See LD 3473.
In 1864 the excursion tariff for a return trip from Paris to Le Havre by train was 9 francs in 3rd class, 12 francs in 2nd class.
The price for a one way trip by train from Paris to Orléans was 2 francs in 1st class, 1,50 francs in 2nd class, and 1 franc in 3rd class without roof.
Special offer in summer in excursion trains from Paris to the sea: 5 francs. See LD 2288.
The price for a one way trip from Paris to London by train was 35 francs in 1st class, 25 francs in 2nd class (as advertised in the Charivari).
The price for insurance premium covering train accidents, valid all over Europe, was 5 to 15 centimes for a distance of 150 km (100 miles), 10 to 30 centimes for a distance of 400 km (270 miles), and 20 to 60 centimes for greater distances (as advertised in the Charivari).

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