That Time Parisians Ate the Zoo...

TL;DR

During the Franco-Prussian War, the Prussian Army besieged Paris for months, leading to a scarcity of food. Desperate Parisians resorted to consuming horses, dogs, cats, rats, and even zoo animals like elephants.

Transcript

For four months from September 19, 1870 to January 28, 1871, the Prussian Army laid siege to the city of Paris, as part of the Franco-Prussian War. Prior to having all supply lines cut off, the French Ministry of Agriculture furiously worked to gather as much food and fuel as it could, and at the beginning, “livestock blanket[ed] the Bois de Boulog... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 The siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War led to desperation among the Parisians, forcing them to resort to consuming unusual animals for survival.
• 🥳 The scarcity of traditional meats led to the consumption of horses, dogs, cats, rats, and even zoo animals like elephants, kangaroos, and antelopes.
• 😋 While the siege had a devastating impact on the population and food supply, some high-end establishments continued to serve meals using unconventional ingredients.

Questions & Answers

Q: What animals did the Parisians consume during the siege?

During the siege, Parisians consumed horses, dogs, cats, rats, elephants, kangaroos, antelopes, peacocks, and various other animals.

Q: Why did Parisians resort to eating zoo animals?

Zoo animals were consumed because the scarcity of traditional meats forced Parisians to explore unconventional food sources, including animals from the zoo.

Q: How did restaurants cope with the food shortage during the siege?

Most restaurants and cafes closed during the siege, but a few high-end establishments continued operating, serving unusual dishes made from available animals like rats, mules, donkeys, and cats.

Q: How did the siege of Paris end?

The siege of Paris ended with a bombardment campaign by the Prussians, leading to a large number of casualties. The Franco-Prussian War officially concluded with the Treaty of Frankfurt.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Prussian Army laid siege to Paris, and the French Ministry of Agriculture struggled to gather enough food and fuel for the city.

• As supplies ran low, Parisians began butchering and consuming horses, dogs, cats, rats, and even zoo animals.

• Many restaurants and cafes closed, while those that remained open offered unconventional menus featuring exotic meats.