Figure 1--The caption of this photo describes the children as 'fillettes'. They are clearly boys, because girls didn't wear trousers at the time. We think the term 'fillette' may have then, referred to young children of either gender or perhaps the person writing the caption just assumed that they were girls. They have rather wind swept hair perhaps having already been on the Carrousel (Merry-go Round ). The photograph is undated, but may have been taken in the 1920s. A French reader writes, "HBC is right! These two children are of course two boys. A girl would never wear short trousera at this time. Quite often the sellers of photographs and postcards don't any knowlege about French retro-fashion concerning children. The word " fillette " in French means little girl So one can say petite fille or fillette. For boys the words would be petit garçon or garçonnet ( little boy ). The term " petit garçon " has a cute sound in French.

French parks had a variety of facilities for both adults and children to enjoy. Many had pleasant gardens and benches for adullts to sit and enjoy the gardens and chat. Well attended parks might have a photographer. Some of the most popular facilities for the children were Punch and Judy theaters and carrousels (merry-go rounds). There were also places to play marbels, roll hoops, and ride skates as well as bounce balls. Sports were not played here, but there were lots of places for younger children to play. There commonly was someone selling ice creams or other treats. The facilities of couse varied from park to park. Hopefully some of our French readers will tell us about their favorite parks and the facilities they enjoyed there.