The libretto was by Michel-Jean Sedaine, after a story by Jean de La Fontaine entitled Conte d'une chose arrivée à Château-Thierry.

[1] A more recent revival, conducted by André Cluytens, was given in the Salle Favart on 29 September 1949 with Lucienne Jourfier as Blaisine, Nadine Renaux as Mme Prince, Jean Giraudeau as Blaise, Serge Rallier as M. Prince, Jean Michel as Babiche, Michel Forel as Mathurin, and Guy Saint-Clair as Jeannot (Nicaise).

A German adaptation called Der Dorfbarbier with text by C. F. Weiße and music by Johann Adam Hiller was first produced in Leipzig in 1771.

An adaptation called The Cobler; or A Wife of Ten Thousand with text and music by Charles Dibdin was first produced in London at Drury Lane on 9 December 1774.

[1] Julian Rushton comments that the work "combines well-turned ariettes with [Philidor's] usual flair for ensemble writing, forming an excellent farce.