Exposition "Héroïnes oubliées, les cantinières de l'Armée française"

Appearing during the modern era, cantinières played a variety of roles during military campaigns in France and abroad. Conspicuous by their uniforms and their emblematic brandy barrels, they were responsible for supplying food and alcohol to soldiers on the battlefield, and for helping the wounded. They particularly distinguished themselves during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871, when they were mobilized in large numbers. Although they enjoyed their golden age under the Second Empire, their decline began at the end of the 19th century with the great military reforms.