Contes populaires de Lorraine, comparés avec les contes des autres provinces de France et des pays étrangers, volume 1 (of 2)

Gathered from the single village of Montiers‑sur‑Saulx on the fringe of Lorraine, this anthology offers a hundred folk tales and their many variants as they were told around village hearths. The collector’s sister, whose prodigious memory preserved each story with meticulous fidelity, ensured that the original wording remains untouched, giving listeners the genuine flavor of oral tradition. The tales range from whimsical riddles to darker legends, each presented in a plain style that avoids literary embellishment.

Beyond the narratives, the volume includes thoughtful commentary that links each story to similar motifs found in other French provinces, European collections, and even Oriental folklore. An introductory essay explores how such tales travel across cultures, shedding light on the shared roots of European storytelling. Scholars have praised the work for its rigorous comparative approach, making it a valuable listening experience for anyone curious about the pathways of folk imagination.