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[stickmaker]

I'm pretty familiar with the British tradition of pubs having colorful names taken from decorative signs put up for the illiterate. However, I have not been able to find much on the French equivalent; my online searches keep finding references for the British - and mostly English - tradition. I suspect the fact that I didn't find what I want is

Comments

[sushidog]

Alsace was German until the 17th century, so you might do better looking for the German equivalent!

[lizzardgirl]

Indeed, and it was German again from 1871-1918, although that's clearly later than the middle ages

[stickmaker]

As I note in more detail below, it's current time, but a different current time.

I was aware of the Alemannic dialect but for simplicity's sake (my background notes were already over 20k words) decided not to investigate further.

I will make a note of the words and terms you provided, though. They could be useful for some other stories planned for the same world. Thank you.

Now I'm remembering Peter Stubbe, the (in)famous werewolf. :-)

[anonymous]

Well, if it comes to that, it wouldn't be called a pub in medieval England either - it's very much a later term.

OP: you have some leeway given that you're writing a fantasy rather than straight historical, depending on how closely you want to echo the reality.

[stickmaker]

Names/terms noted. Thank you. I like "taverne." :-)

This is a fantasy world, but one with recognizable roots. One where someone discovered how to work magic a few centuries back. They speak a language which would sound familiar to anyone who knows the Romance languages. So I can get away with what today are French names and words, an easy way to provide some verisimilitude. (Yes, I'm lazy.) The area where the story is set also has a strong Germanic influence.

In one sense it is an alternate history, but I'm not sure fantasy can be included in that genre.

[autosparta]

This, I was going to say auberge or cafe.

Or here in a mainly English speaking centre with a significant population, we just use the English term of 'bar'. (but I hardly think that would work in your case :P)

[leyra22]

Hello ! I am French and I can tell you that there's no real equivalent of "pub" in french, for the fact that..it doesn't exist here ! The word which defines the most a pub in France would be a a "bar", but it isn't really the same place as in England. I hope this helped you a little bit ! :)

[stickmaker]

Well, that explains why I couldn't find any information on French pubs! :-)

Actually, I knew they wouldn't be called "pub." I just had no idea what the sort of institution I had in mind would be called. I may use bar, as well as taverne, suggested above. Thank you.

[ionracas]

Here's an interesting article, I googled 'oldest bar in France'. I especially like the 'Pomme de Pin', or 'The Pinecone'. Sounds charming!

[stickmaker]

Noted, and bookmarked for later reference. Thank You.

That name does imply that "The Knotted Roses" would be appropriate.

[majolika]

[syntinen_laulu]

Inns (i.e. establishments where travellers could stay, have a meal, and stable their horses, rather than just pubs) right across Western Europe have traditionally hung out pictorial signs and been known by that name for many centuries - you rode into town and put up at the Swan, the Trois Cigognes, the Goldenes Lamm or whatever. All such establishments also sold drinks, and they were a natural place to go if you wanted to hear news and gossip from the wider world; so your character's Knotted Roses could be one such.

Also, before the introduction of house numbering it was normal even for ordinary houses in towns to have something painted on the house front, so that you could give directions to your house by saying 'it's in Cheap Street, at the sign of the Hammer and Nails'. If the alewife at the house with twined roses on the facade sold good ale, you could either say 'I'll meet you at Goody Pessoner's for a drink'. or 'at the Knotted Roses'.

[stickmaker]

Thank you. At least I know the novel won't be rejected by some knowledgeable and picky editor because I used an English tradition in a French setting. :-)

I am reassured that people do similar things all over, and through time. (Yes, in this world they do consider centaurs people.)