When people today think of a bidet, they often picture a modern, high-tech device with heated seats and water spray functions. But the bidet’s history goes back much further than most realize—back to 17th-century France, where it began not in a bathroom, but in the private chambers of nobility. Understanding the bidet’s origins helps us see how personal hygiene, privacy, and innovation shaped one of the most surprising inventions in sanitation history.
Bidet Origin
The first appearance of a bidet dates back to the late 1600s or early 1700s in France. During this time, daily full-body baths were uncommon, especially in the colder seasons. Instead, the upper class maintained cleanliness with perfumes, hand-washing, and small-scale hygiene tools. Among these tools, a new object emerged: a small basin designed for washing the lower body. That was the beginning of the bidet.
The earliest bidets weren’t plumbing fixtures. They were standalone wooden pieces of furniture that held a water basin. Users would straddle the basin much like they would sit on a pony, which led to the name “bidet,” the French word for a small horse.
Name
The word “bidet” literally means “pony” in French. This quirky name came from the way people sat on it—straddling the basin with legs apart. That posture reminded people of horseback riding, and the name stuck. Though the bidet’s design has evolved dramatically since then, the name has remained unchanged for over three centuries.
Maker
The earliest recorded maker of the bidet was Cristofle Desormeaux, a French furniture maker around 1710. He designed the bidet at the request of upper-class clients who wanted a more convenient way to clean themselves without taking a full bath. His invention quickly gained popularity among Parisian elites, particularly women, who appreciated the added privacy and hygiene it offered—especially after childbirth or during menstruation.
Bidet Furniture
Unlike today’s bathroom fixtures, early bidets were not placed in bathrooms at all. They were typically kept in the bedroom or adjacent dressing rooms, allowing for private and discreet use. These early versions didn’t have running water or plumbing. A servant would fill the basin with clean water and empty it afterward.
Because of its use and design, the bidet was seen not just as a hygiene tool but as a luxurious piece of furniture. In fact, many bidets from the 18th century were ornately decorated with wood carvings, gold accents, and ceramic basins, making them a symbol of wealth and refinement.
Bidet for Women
While men also used bidets, it was women—particularly noblewomen—who most appreciated them. At a time when health knowledge was limited and infections were common, a device that allowed gentle and regular cleansing of sensitive areas was seen as not only practical but necessary. In some circles, a woman’s bidet was considered as essential as her makeup table.
Culture
In France, privacy and elegance were highly valued. Hygiene wasn’t just about being clean—it was about refinement and self-care. The bidet fit perfectly into this cultural mindset. It allowed people, especially women, to maintain personal cleanliness in a way that was intimate, dignified, and independent of full-body bathing.
As indoor plumbing improved in the 19th century, the bidet slowly evolved from a piece of bedroom furniture into a bathroom fixture. But its roots in French high society, privacy, and female hygiene remained central to its identity for decades.
From its humble beginnings as a wooden water basin in a noblewoman’s bedroom, the bidet has come a long way. What started as a tool of luxury and privacy in France is now spreading across North America as a symbol of modern hygiene and eco-conscious living. As we continue to rethink cleanliness and convenience, revisiting the bidet’s origins reminds us that sometimes, the most forward-thinking ideas come from the past.
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