Bougnat

A bougnat ([bu.ɲa]) was a term for a person who moved from rural France to Paris, originally from the Massif Central and more specifically from Aubrac, Margeride, Viadène, the Monts du Cantal, the Planèze of Saint-Flour and the Lot valley.

After taking up the job of water-carrier (for the public baths) in the 19th century, they turned to trading in firewood and coal delivery, drinks (wine, spirits, lemonade), hostelry and sometimes had a sideline in scrap.

[2] The term expanded meaning, to include the sense of Parisian cafés owned by bougnats, which would both sell drinks and deliver coal.

Today, although many Paris cafés have changed ownership, the community of Aveyronnais (Rouergat) owners is still well represented, and is relatively well-off, as illustrated in the film XXL (with Gérard Depardieu) in which the director draws an interesting parallel with the Jewish community that lives alongside, in the Sentier district, and which in some ways it resembles.

[4] More recently, another Aveyronnais from around Languole, Gilbert Costes, from a modest country family, went on to own, with them, around forty Parisian establishments.