Hospitality, an art codified through the ages.
Hospitality is a universal practice, reflecting the values and social codes of an era. From ancient Greece to the present day, let's discover together how the art of hospitality has evolved over the centuries, blending traditions, rituals, and refinement. Regardless of the period and region, the more affluent and cultured one is, the more the "little corner" becomes a symbol of attention and refinement.
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Hospitality in ancient Greece: a sacred duty.
In ancient Greece, hospitality, called xenia, was much more than a courtesy: it was a sacred duty. Offering a bed, bread, olives, and wine was a tribute to Zeus Xenios, the protector of travel .
The wealthiest homes have basic bathrooms: ablution basins, water basins, and towels for guests to purify themselves before sharing a meal. Latrines are often outside, while the wealthiest use private toilets .
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In Rome, hospitality becomes an art of staging.
In ancient Rome, hosting became a true demonstration of power. Wealthy citizens organized sumptuous banquets where political alliances and philosophical discussions intersected .
Roman villas were equipped with private baths and richly decorated toilets to ensure the comfort of guests.
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In ancient China: hospitality is a matter of honor.
In ancient China, hosting was a mark of honor imbued with Confucian values. Wealthy families offered their guests separate, harmonious rooms decorated according to Taoist principles.
Warm towels, bathing basins, and the obligatory tea ceremony greet guests. Some luxurious homes feature stone bathtubs and covered latrines, complete with scented linens and toilet paper, the precursor to modern toilet paper.
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In the ancient Middle East: hospitality is a value.
In ancient Middle Eastern civilizations, such as Mesopotamia and Egypt, hospitality was a fundamental value. Welcoming strangers, travelers, or pilgrims was a moral obligation. In ancient Egypt, hieroglyphic inscriptions testify to the importance placed on welcoming visitors as envoys of the gods. These ancestral practices laid the foundations for a tradition of hospitality that continues to this day in many Middle Eastern cultures.
Sanitary facilities are present in wealthy homes. A 2,700-year-old private limestone toilet was discovered in Jerusalem. These toilets were often accompanied by wood containing aromatic oils or incense to perfume and deodorize the premises.
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Medieval hospitality: between faith and social hierarchy.
In the Middle Ages, hospitality was a Christian duty but also reflected social hierarchy. Nobles enjoyed private rooms and feather beds, while ordinary guests slept in dormitories or the great hall.
The banquets follow a precise protocol marked by prayers and rigorous codes.
Chamber pots and latrines drilled into the walls (wardrobes) are available.
the feast - national library of France
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Renaissance: refinement and good manners.
The Renaissance was the golden age of refinement. Artistic meals, rosewater-scented tablecloths, and exquisite tableware: the experience became complete.
Erasmus of Rotterdam wrote the first authoritative manual of good manners. Forks and chairs became commonplace.
In the bedrooms, decorative chamber pots are complemented with luxurious accessories, perfumes, and flowers to mask odors. Access to restrooms is a sign of respect for guests.
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18th century: the age of salons and bourgeois refinement.
In the Age of Enlightenment, literary salons orchestrated by influential women brought together intellectuals and artists.
Bourgeois hospitality values comfort and elegance: a carafe of water on the bedside table, quality linens, a basin of hot water for washing, and the ultimate luxury, scented soaps are provided.
Elegant chamber pots were hidden in furniture or chests of drawers, accompanied by scented products. Wealthy homes began to incorporate modern toilets.
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19th century: Victorian etiquette imposes its rules.
The Victorian era imposed strict hospitality: formal invitations, codified dress, structured meals. Winter gardens offered intimate spaces for entertaining.
Bourgeois houses have elegant bedrooms, private bathrooms and flush toilets, a sign of growing modernity.
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20th century: towards modern and relaxed hospitality.
At the beginning of the 20th century, hospitality remained formal in aristocratic and bourgeois circles. Invitations remained formal for dinners and balls, and meals were seated with several courses.
Electricity, heating, and running water significantly improved comfort. Guest rooms became standard in large homes, with sinks and sometimes en-suite bathrooms. Guest toilets became more common in bourgeois homes, reflecting advances in sanitation.
After the Second World War, hospitality became more democratic and convivial. Buffets, cocktail dinners, international cuisines... Modern homes in France naturally incorporated guest rooms and guest toilets, symbols of comfort and shared well-being.
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Today: between simplicity and the art of living.
Today, welcoming loved ones has become an art imbued with simplicity and personalization. Far from the rigid codes of the past, contemporary hospitality celebrates attention to detail and care for comfort. Books are being published by designers and decorators celebrating a new art of living, imbued with refinement where beauty is valued. Far from obligatory codes, we are regaining a taste for laid tables and the details in each setting, in an approach of shared well-being and pleasure.
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Some ideas to welcome your guests in a thoughtful and memorable way:
◆ Prepare impeccable and comfortable bedding and bed linens
◆ Provide storage space and a full-length mirror
◆ Place a carafe of water and a glass on the bedside table
◆ Place a few carefully chosen books and magazines on the bedside table or on a small piece of furniture, as well as some sweet treats (a basket of fruit or fine chocolates) or a bouquet of fresh flowers.
◆ In the bathroom, add our Eau Belles Toilettes, Elixir Bien Elevé, and Savon de Belle Façon home fragrances for a complete sensory experience. You'll have scented the space before your guests arrive.
With a warm welcome note.
☞ to discover our perfume rituals and our scented care soaps, it's here
Sources: BNF daily life in the Middle Ages https://essentiels.bnf.fr/fr/histoire - The world of salons" Antoine Lilti - le monde/m-styles/alarenaissancelerepasestunspectacle