Bal-musette

Auvergnats settled in large numbers in the 5th, 11th, and 12th districts (arrondissements) of Paris during the 19th century, opening cafés and bars where patrons danced the bourrée to the accompaniment of the cabrette (a bellows-blown bagpipe locally called a "musette") and often the vielle à roue (hurdy-gurdy).

Parisian and immigrant Italian musicians who played the accordion adopted the style and established themselves in Auvergnat bars especially in the 19th arrondissement.

By the end of 19th century, there were three kinds of bals-musette establishments: These places often were frequented by members of the French upper classes looking for excitement among the poor and downtrodden.

Performers of this era include Antoine Bouscatel, Émile Vacher, Martin Cayla, Charles Péguri, and Gus Viseur.

In the middle of the dance, the bal director walked between the couples with a bag and the dancers turned in a token.