Female Prophet Consulted on the Révolution of 1790
The Revolution was not always the triumph of reason! Starting in 1789, all regular points of reference were swept away. People started to become anxious. Some thought that the end of the world was near. This atmosphere explains the success of all kinds of predictions and prophecies at this time. Marie-Anne Lenormand was one of the most famous fortunetellers during the French Revolution: she claimed to have had Camille Desmoulins, Robespierre and Bonaparte as clients. Consequently, her home on the rue de Tournon was closely monitored by the police.
Nostradamus, a popular author during the Revolution
Newspapers adapted to the anxiety of their readers: very quickly, they offered sections dedicated to prophecies and mysterious anecdotes. Some advertised works: for example, after 1789, the old prophesies of Nostradamus (1503-1566) experienced a sudden success.
The Journal Général de la Cour et de la Ville, October 1, 1791, p. 8
