Voyages au temps jadis en France, en Angleterre, en Allemagne, en Suisse, en Italie, en Sicile, en poste, en diligence, en voiturin, en traîneau, en espéronade, à cheval et en patache, de 1787 à 1844

by Théodore Aynard

"Voyages au temps jadis en France, en Angleterre, en Allemagne, en Suisse, en Italie, en Sicile" by Théodore Aynard is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work explores the evolution of travel methods and experiences from the late 18th to the mid-19th century in various European countries. With a focus on the contrasts between past and present, Aynard reflects on the nature of transportation, illustrating personal anecdotes, historical events, and cultural observations from his travels. The beginning of the text introduces the theme of nostalgia for travel in times gone by, as the author recounts a chance meeting with a Parisian woman who is oblivious to the past modes of transport. Aynard contrasts her modern experiences with the hardships and intricacies associated with travel in the past, specifically during the time of Louis XI and the establishment of postal services. Through anecdotes about the challenges of journeying via horse-drawn carriages, relays, and post-horses, he sets the stage for a richer exploration of historical travel experiences that will follow in subsequent chapters of the work.