Fêtes et transgression à Lausanne au xviiie siècle

During the eighteenth century, parties and balls represent in Lausanne – the cultural capital of Vaud region under the administration of the Republic of Bern – a part of the urban Sociability of the local elites and the foreign nobles. The ruler provides a more flexible framework for the control of morals, especially the prohibition of dance as it was established in the aftermath of the Reformation. It displeases those who fear an undermining of the traditional social order in a context of secularization of society, whereas for a majority of its local agents dance, until then the prerogative of higher categories, is now a right to happiness for all.