When French Schoolchildren Drank Wine at Lunch — A Forgotten Chapter of History

Until as late as the 1950s, it was completely normal for French elementary school students to be served wine during their school lunches — a fact that leaves many today utterly stunned.

Each child could consume up to half a liter of wine per day, right on school grounds, alongside their usual midday meal. And it wasn’t just red wine; white wine, cider, and even light beer were considered “nutritious” beverages for children. At the time, the widely accepted belief was that wine had natural antibacterial properties, helping to prevent colds and common infectious diseases — especially in an era when sanitation and healthcare were far less advanced than today.

In France, where wine is deeply woven into the cultural fabric, introducing children to wine at an early age wasn’t seen as odd. In many households, wine was even diluted with water and given to young children as a way to “train their palate” — a form of culinary and cultural education, as well as a lesson in moderation.

However, by the late 1950s — particularly from 1956 onward — education reform movements and modern medical research began shifting public perception. Doctors and scientists started sounding alarms about the harmful effects of alcohol on children, from physical development to cognitive growth. The French government gradually introduced restrictions, eventually banning all alcohol consumption in schools, regardless of a student’s age.

This story reflects a fascinating and peculiar chapter in French history — one that underscores the powerful evolution of societal values around public health, education, and the balance between tradition and modern life.

Once, the word “Santé!” — “To your health!” — echoed through cheerful classrooms filled with laughing children and clinking glasses. Today, that toast survives only in memory, from a time when wine was seen as… France’s purest form of drinking water.