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Memories from a New Century

Memories from a New Century

A collection of postcards from the early 20th century. They used to belong to my grandfather and give a unique insight into life in rural southwest France around the time of World War One.

Amiens – Front View of the Cathedral

Amiens – Front View of the Cathedral

Today's postcard from Memories from a New Century is interesting because the caption is bilingual, which was quite unusual for that time. I assume it was published during or right after the war when there were still quite a few Anglophone troops in the area writing home. 💡The

Bastille – July Column – circa 1916

Bastille – July Column – circa 1916

This is the Place de la Bastille in Paris, about 100 years ago. And this is what it looked like 90 years later: The postcard shows the building that stood before the Opera Bastille was constructed. The July Column, on the other hand, hasn’t changed much since its construction

A French Sailor

A French Sailor

This is a French sailor from the 1920s. Yes, this picture is about 100 years old. He's probably my grandfather's cousin, though I could never quite place him in the family tree. There's a story behind this postcard. You can read it here if

What are we to make of a confession that dares not speak?

What are we to make of a confession that dares not speak?

What are we to make of a confession that dares not speak, except that your heart is very close to loving me! That's what the quote under the picture says. And as far as the back side of the postcard is concerned.

Amiens in 1918

Amiens in 1918

I find it fascinating how postcards were used at the time as “news.” Well, not exactly news but as visual historical documents. It totally makes sense when you think about it, not even newspapers had pictures at the time. Today, the street is still a residential street with a series