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| List of French flags |
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This list includes flags that either have been in use or are currently used by France, French Overseas Collectivites, the Sui Generis Collectivity and the French Overseas Territory.
The French Society of Vexillology is the authority on the flying of flags in France and maintains the only official register of flags for the country.[1] It was established in 1985 and as part of the Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques operates under the authority of the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. The Breton Vexillology Society holds a similar role within Brittany.
| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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2020–present; originally adopted in 1794 |
National flag of the French Second Republic, Second French Empire, French Third Republic, French State, Provisional Government of the French Republic, French Fourth Republic, and the French Fifth Republic. Originally adopted on 15 February 1794 and interchangeable with the lighter version introduced in 1976. | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 3:2). |
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1976–2020 | An interchangeable lighter version of the national flag of the French Fifth Republic from 1976.[2] This version was abandoned by President Emmanuel Macron in July 2021 in favor of the version with darker shades.[3][4][5] | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 3:2). |
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1976–2020 | Flag of France (vertical) | |
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2020–present; originally adopted in 1794 |
Modern Flag of France |
| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1880–present | The Presidential and Prime Minister StandardofFrance | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1). |
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1880–present | The Presidential and Prime Minister StandardofFrance (variant) | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 3:2). |
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1887–1894 | Presidential standard of Sadi Carnot | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "C". |
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1894–1895 | Presidential standard of Jean Casimir-Perier | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "CP". |
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1895–1899 | Presidential standard of Félix Faure | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "FF". |
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1899–1906 | Presidential standard of Émile Loubet | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "EL". |
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1906–1913 | Presidential standard of Armand Fallières | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "AF". |
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1913–1920 | Presidential standard of Raymond Poincaré | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "RP". |
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1920 | Presidential standard of Paul Deschanel | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden"PD". |
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1920–1924 | Presidential standard of Alexandre Millerand | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "AM". |
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1924–1931 | Presidential standard of Gaston Doumergue | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "GD". |
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1931–1932 | Presidential standard of Paul Doumer | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "PD". |
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1932–1940 | Presidential standard of Albert Lebrun | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "AL". |
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1940–1944 | Presidential standards of Philippe Pétain | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red with the axe and 7 golden stars. |
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1947–1954 | Presidential standard of Vincent Auriol | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "VA". |
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1958–1959 | Presidential standard of René Coty | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "RC". |
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1959–1969 | Presidential standards of Charles de Gaulle | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 3:2) with the red Cross of Lorraine. A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with the golden "CG" and the red Cross of Lorraine. |
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1969–1974 | Presidential standards of Georges Pompidou | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red with the golden "GP". |
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1974 | Presidential standards of Alain Poher | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red with the golden "AP". |
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1975–1981 | Presidential standards of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red with the golden fasces. |
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1982–1995 | Presidential standards of François Mitterrand | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red with the golden oak tree. |
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1982–1995 | Presidential standards of François Mitterrand | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red with the golden "FM". |
| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1880–1958 | Flag of the Governor Colony | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red on swallow tail blue ensign. (proportions 1:2). |
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1976–present | Flag of the Minister of Overseas | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) on a blue ensign. |
| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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early 17th century–1789 1814–1830 | Universal standard of the kings of France from the House of Bourbon | |
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1643–1715 | Royal standard of Louis XIV | |
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1715–1789 | Royal standard of Louis XV and Louis XVI | |
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1804–1815 | Imperial standard of Napoléon I | |
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1815–1830 | Royal Standard of Louis XVIII and Charles X. | |
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1830–1848 | Royal Standard of Louis-Philippe I | |
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1870–1873 | Imperial standard of Napoléon III | |
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1873–1879 | Imperial standard of Napoléon III | |
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1827–1877 | Personal Standard of Pomare IV |
Flags of the French Military
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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Flag of the Minister of the Armed Forces | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red (proportions 1:1) with a golden emblem. | |
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10 August 1939–present | Flag of the Chief of the Defence Staff | Originally the marque of the Chief of the National Defence.[6] |
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1916–present | Flag of the Marshal of France |
Flags of the French Army
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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10 August 1939–present | Flag of the Chief of Staff of the French Army | Marque given to the chief of staff.[6] |
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1791–1796 | Flag of National Volunteers |
Flags of the French Navy
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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10 August 1939–present | Flag of the Chief of Staff of the French Navy | Marque given to the chief of staff.[6] |
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1794–1814
1853–present |
Naval ensign of France | A vertical tricolourofblue, white, and red, but with bars in proportion 30:33:37 |
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1848–1910 | Naval ensign of French Algeria | |
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16th century–? | Naval Flag of the Kingdom of France | |
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?–1790 | Naval Flag of the Kingdom of France (Galley Ensign) | |
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1790–1794 | Naval ensign of Kingdom of France and French First Republic | Awhite flag with a bordered, first version of the French tricolore on the top-left honour quadrant |
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1638–1790 1814–1830 |
Naval ensign of Kingdom of France | A pure white flag |
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1943–1945 | Naval jackofFree France | The argent rhomboid field is defaced with a gules Lorraine cross. |
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10 August 1939–present | Flag of the Admiral of the French Navy | |
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10 August 1939–present | Flag of the Vice-Admiral D'escadre of the French Navy | |
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Flag of the Vice-Admiral of the French Navy | ||
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Flag of the Contre-Admiral of the French Navy | ||
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Flag of the Capitaine de Vaisseau of the French Navy (Division) | ||
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Flag of the Capitaine de Vaisseau of the French Navy (Unit) | ||
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Flag of the Harbour Commanding Officer | ||
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Flag of the Senior Merchant Navy Captain in the harbour | ||
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Pennant |
Flags of the French Air Force
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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10 August 1939–present | Flag of the Chief of Staff of the French Air Force | Marque given to the chief of staff.[6] |
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1916–1917 | Flag of the Lafayette Escadrille |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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17th century | Civil Ensign of Kingdom of France | |
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?–1790 | Civil ensign of Kingdom of France | |
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?–1790 | Merchant ensign of Kingdom of France | |
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1923–1945
1945–1949 |
Civil and merchant ensign of French Indochina | |
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French pilot boat flag |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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2016–present | Flag of French Society of Vexillology | |
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1996–present | Flag of Breton Vexillological Society |
| Flag | Date | City | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1945-present | Paris |
Main article: Flag of Paris
In the center is the coat of arms of Paris. Red is identified with Saint Denis, blue with Saint Martin. |
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13th century–present | Marseille |
Main article: Flag of Marseille
The flag dates from the time of the crusades. The cross is a symbol of the crusades |
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?–present | Lyon |
Main article: Flag of Lyon
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14th century–present | Nice | Flag of the County of Nice (1108-1176) |
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?–present | Nantes | White cross of the Kingdom of France on the black cross of Brittany |
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1262–present | Strasbourg | Colors of Alsace |
| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
current
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2011–present | Lys noirfr | |
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2011–present | Ligue du Midi oc | |
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2011–present | Popular Republican Union | |
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2010–present | Europe Ecology – The Greens | |
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2009–present | Left Party | |
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2000s–present | Identitarian movement | |
| Link to file | 1998–present | Guadeloupe Communist Party | |
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1994–present | Terre et Peuple | |
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1983–present | French Nationalist Party | |
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1977–present | Tahoera'a Huiraatira | |
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1964–present | Breton Democratic Union | |
former
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2013–2014 | Bonnets Rouges | |
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2008–2011 | Front Comtois | |
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1991–2019 | Alternative libertaire | |
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2016–2017 | French Renewal | |
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2005–2016 | ||
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1968–2013 | L'Œuvre Française | |
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1961–1962 | Organisation armée secrète | |
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1941–1945 | National Popular Rally | |
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1936–1945 | French Popular Party | |
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1934–1944 | French National-Collectivist Party | |
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1933–1944 | Mouvement Franciste | |
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1927–1939 | French Agrarian and Peasant Party | |
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1791–1792 | Feuillant | |
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1790–1795 | Cordeliers | |
These flags have a long tradition among French monarchists.[7]
| Flag | Date | Party | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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2001–present | Adsav | |
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1971–1980 | Breton Communist Party | |
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1931–1944 | Breton National Party | |
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1907 | Breton Regionalist Union | |
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2018–present | Democratic Organization of the People of Occitaniaoc | |
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1969–1976 | Anarchist-Communist Federation of Occitania | |
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1959–present | Partit de la Nacion Occitana | |
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1972–1981 | Catalan Workers' Left | |
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1978–present | People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe | |
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1963–1970s | Guadeloupe National Organizing Group | |
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1990–present | Pro-Unification of Saint Martin flag | |
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1992–present | Build the Martinique Country and Movement of Democrats and Ecologists for Sovereign Martiniquefr | |
| Link to file | 1984–present | National Council of People's Committeesfr | |
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1984–present | Communist Party for Independence and Socialism | |
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1978–present | Martinican Independence Movement | |
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1984–present | Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front | |
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1953–present | Caledonian Union | |
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1986–present | Tavini Huiraatira | |
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1991–present | Decolonization and Social Emancipation Movement | |
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2016–present | Etat Pied-Noir | |
Many cultural groups, which identify themselves mostly by language, use traditional flag of the regions of its origin. Such flags are not listed here.
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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11th century–present | Flag of Alsatians | Flag of Alsace |
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? | Cultural flag of Arpitania | Sun of the Alps |
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1894–present | Flag of Basques | Ikurriña |
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1923–present | Flag of Bretons | Flag of Brittany |
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1923–present | Flag of Catalans | Senyera serves as a flag of Pyrénées-Orientales |
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1188?–present | Flag of Gascon people | Flag of Gascony |
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13th century–present | Flag of Norman people | Flag and coat of arms of Normandy |
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19th century–present | Flag of Occitans | Occitan cross |
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?–present | Flag of Pied-Noirs | |
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1847–present | Flag of Savoyards | Duchy of Savoy#Flag |
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?–present | Flag of Yenish people | |
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?–present | Flag of Native Guyanese | |
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2010–present | Flag of Kanak people | Flags of New Caledonia |
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1837–present | Flag of Mangarevans | Flag of the Gambier Islands |
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1980–present | Flag of Marquesans | Flag of the Marquesas Islands |
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1788–present | Flag of Tahitians | Flag of French Polynesia |
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1985–present | Flag of Tuamotus | |
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1985–present | Flag of Tubuaians | Flag of the Austral Islands |
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1985–present | Flag of Uvea people | Flag of Wallis and Futuna |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1790–1794 | Flag of Kingdom of France and French First Republic | |
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14 July 1790 | Revolutionist flag | |
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21 January 1793 | Revolutionist flag | |
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7 May 1794 | Revolutionist flag | |
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1814–1830 | Royal flag of Kingdom of France | |
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1848 | Flag of French Second Republic | |
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1940–1944 | Flag of Free France | |
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1943–1944 | Flag of the Milice |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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10th century–12th century | Banner of the Kingdom of France | |
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12th century–13th century | Banner of the Kingdom of France | |
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14th century–16th century | Banner of the Kingdom of France | |
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1365–1792 1815–1830 |
Flag of the Kingdom of France & the Bourbon Restoration | |
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1791–1814 | Flag of Armée des Émigrés | |
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1793–1800 | Type of Catholic and Royal Army of Vendée flag | |
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1715–1789 | State Flag by the Kingdom of France under the absolute monarchy. | |
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1365–1794 | The Royal Banner of early modern France or "Bourbon Flag" was the most commonly used flag in New France.[8][9][10][11] | |
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1124–1356 | Oriflamme | |
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1124–1356 | Oriflamme (variant) | |
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9th century | Oriflamme (variant) | |
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9th century | Oriflamme (variant) | |
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9th century | Oriflamme (variant) |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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Adopted 11th century | Historical flag of Alsace | |
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1912–1918 | Flag of Alsace-Lorraine, adopted on the 25th of June 1912 and flag of the Republic of Alsace-Lorraine (1918) | |
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1871–1918 | Flag of Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine | |
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982–1803 | Banner of the Prince-Bishopric of Strasbourg |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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939–1547 | Flag of Duchy of Brittany | |
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939–1547 | Duchy of Brittany - Kroaz Du | |
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14th century–16th century | Breton Army Flag and Ensign | |
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1351 | Brittany banner during the Breton Civil War |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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918–1482 | Flag of Duchy of Burgundy | |
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14th century | Flag of Cross of Burgundy |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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14th century | Flag of Corsica | |
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?–1755 | Flag of Corsica |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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911–1469 | Flag of Duchy of Normandy | |
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1035–1087 | William the Conquerors gonfalon | William the Conquerors personal gonfalon held by Eustace II, Count of Boulogne in the Bayeux Tapestry. |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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Medieval | Flag of County of Foix | |
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9th century–1620 | Flag of Viscounty of Béarn | |
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602–1453 | Flag of Duchy of Aquitaine | |
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778–1271 | Flag of County of Toulouse | |
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1108–1176 | Flag of County of Nice | |
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1274–1791 | Flag of Comtat Venaissin | |
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1848–1849 | Flag of the Free Cities of Menton and Roquebrune | |
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1944 | Flag of Free Republic of Vercors |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1147–1847 | Flag of Duchy of Savoy |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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2010–2015 | Flag of the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana | |
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Colonial | Unofficial French Guiana | Banner of arms of French Guiana. |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1858–1889 | Flag of Kingdom of Rurutu | |
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1889–1900 | Flag of Kingdom of Rurutu | |
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1856–1891 | Flag of Kingdom of Rimatara | |
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1891–1900 | Flag of Kingdom of Rimatara |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1832–1843 | Flag of Kingdom of Mangareva |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1837–1842 | Flag of Kingdom of Tahuata | |
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1835 | Flag of Kingdom of Taiohae |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1820–1845 | Flag of Kingdom of Bora Bora | |
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1837–1842 | Flag of Kingdom of Bora Bora | |
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1842–1895 | Flag of Kingdom of Bora Bora | |
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1847–1888 | Flag of Kingdom of Huahine | |
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1847–1880 | Flag of Kingdom of Raiatea | |
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1880–1888 | Flag of Kingdom of Raiatea | |
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1822–1829 | Flag of Kingdom of Tahiti | |
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1829–1843 | Flag of Kingdom of Tahiti | |
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1843–1880 | Flag of Tahiti Protectorate |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1832–1843 | Flag of Tuamotu Kingdom |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1766–2018 | Unofficial flag of Martinique | |
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2019–2021 | Flag of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1842–1860 | Flag of Kingdom of Uvea | |
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1860–1886 | Flag of Kingdom of Uvea | |
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1886–1887 | Flag of Kingdom of Uvea | |
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1837–1858 | Royal Standard of Uvea | |
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1858–1887 | Royal Standard of Uvea | |
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1887–1910 | Unofficial flag of Wallis and Futuna | |
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1910–1974 | Unofficial flag of Wallis and Futuna | |
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1974–1985 | Unofficial flag of Wallis and Futuna |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1419 | Flag of Dauphin Charles (future Charles VII) upon his entry (adventus) into Bourges on March 14, 1419. According to Anselme d'Ysalguier (from Toulouse) eyewitness. | |
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c. 1569 | Huguenot battle flag | |
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c. 1590 | Flag of the Catholic League | |
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1870 | Banner of the Catholic French Papal Zouaves | |
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1871 | Revolutionary banner from the Paris Commune | A plain red flag |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1871 | A proposed flag of France, possible design by Henri d'Artois, comte de Chambord. | |
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ca. 2010 | Proposal by Hervé, Baron Pinoteau for the flag of a restored Kingdom of France under legitimist Bourbon branch. |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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?–present? | Human Rights League | |
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1967– | Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer | |
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1896–1935 | French Society of Sea Works |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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1976–2016 | Société nationale maritime Corse Méditerranée | |
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1912–1962 | Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique | |
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1903–1988 | Caen Naval Companyfr | |
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1883–1990 | Compagnie Générale Transatlantique | |
|
1881–1933 | Fabre Line | They used the flag of Marseille. |
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1872–? | Chargeurs | |
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1851–1977 | Messageries Maritimes | |
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1836–1979 | Compagnie Fraissinet | |
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1664–1794 | French East India Company |
| Flag | Club |
|---|---|
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Cercle de la voile de Paris |
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Cercle de la Voile d'Arcachon |
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Société des Régates Rochelaises |
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Société nautique de Marseille |
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Union Nationale pour la Course au Large |
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Yacht Club de France (Burgee) |
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Yacht Club de France (Ensign) |
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Société des Régates du Havre |
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Cercle nautique La Baule Le Pouliguen Pornichet |
 |
Yacht Club Basque |
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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2007–Present | Flag of Principality of Groland | Flag of the fictional Principality of Groland was state created by Jules-Édouard Moustic for the French TV channel Canal+. The flag is used as a parody. |
La Société française de vexillologie (SFV) est ouverte sans condition de nationalité à quiconque s'intéresse à l'étude des drapeaux et des pavillons sous tous leurs aspects (usage, histoire, symbolisme, fabrication, etc.) et adhère aux règles et principes énoncés dans ses statuts.
It is most probable that the Bourbon Flag was used during the greater part of the occupancy of the French in the region extending southwest from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi , known as New France... The French flag was probably blue at that time with three golden fleur - de - lis ....
At the time of New France (1534 to the 1760s), two flags could be viewed as having national status. The first was the banner of France — a blue square flag bearing three gold fleurs-de-lys. It was flown above fortifications in the early years of the colony. For instance, it was flown above the lodgings of Pierre Du Gua de Monts at Île Sainte-Croix in 1604. There is some evidence that the banner also flew above Samuel de Champlain's habitation in 1608. ..... the completely white flag of the French Royal Navy was flown from ships, forts and sometimes at land-claiming ceremonies.
When Canada was settled as part of France and dubbed "New France," two flags gained national status. One was the Royal Banner of France. This featured a blue background with three gold fleurs-de-lis. A white flag of the French Royal Navy was also flown from ships and forts and sometimes flown at land-claiming ceremonies.
During the French régime in Canada, there does not appear to have been any French national flag in the modern sense of the term. The "Banner of France", which was composed of fleur-de-lys on a blue field, came nearest to being a national flag, since it was carried before the king when he marched to battle, and thus in some sense symbolized the kingdom of France. During the later period of French rule, it would seem that the emblem...was a flag showing the fleur-de-lys on a white ground.... as seen in Florida. There were, however, 68 flags authorized for various services by Louis XIV in 1661; and a number of these were doubtless used in New France
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