The start of the summer season in Paris in the 1890s could arguably be the Bazar de la Charité, sort of a rummage sale for the wealthy to benefit the poor. The height of Parisian’s female society passed through its doors each year, and May 4th, 1897, was no different. But the presence of the bazaar’s biggest novelty - a cinematograph showing films by the Lumière brothers - also led to a gruesome tragedy.

Videos:

• Visit to the site of the charity fire on Rue Jean Goujon
• Documentaire sur l'histoire de l'incendie du bazar de la charité

Article and books:

• A D V E N T U R E S in C Y B E R S O U N D: Charles Pathe
• The Tragic 1897 Charity Bazaar Fire of Paris
• blume.1.12390921.html"> Remembering a Belle Époque inferno in Paris
• COWARDICE OF PARIS MEN Exhibited in Brutal Form During the Burning of the Charity Bazaar
• The Bazar de la Charité Disaster: part one, part two, part three, and part four.
• The Bazar de la Charite website
• A History of Women Who Burned to Death in Flammable Dresses
• Heroes and Legends of Fin-de-Siécle France, by Venita Datta