Flags, Symbols, & Currencies of France

The French constitution under Article two recognizes the national flag of France as one of the country's national symbols. According to the Constitution, the French flag is a tricolor flag of red, white, and blue, from the fly to the hoist side. However, there are two versions of the flag in use in the country. One is a dark version, while the other is a light version. The dark version of the French flag was adopted on February 15, 1794, while the lighter version was adopted in 1976, mainly for use by the government in televised speeches. However, public buildings, town halls, and barracks adorn the darker version. 

The tricolor flag of France features three vertical bands of blue, white, and red from hoist to fly side respectively. The red and blue colors are Paris’ traditional colors, with blue associated with St. Martin and red with St. Denis. The two colors are also associated with the Virgin Mary, France’s patroness. Occasionally, the colors are used to represent the revolutionary motto: Liberty, Equality, and brotherhood. However, according to the government website, blue and red are the colors of Paris while white was the color of the king. The flag of France is 1.5 times wider than the height. 

Historical Flags of France

The cockade of France, used in the French Revolution influenced the adoption of the tricolor flag. On July 12, 1789, Camille Desmoulins, one of the Revolution’s leaders, asked his people to wear the cockade. Soon, the cockade became the National Guard’s uniform and formed the basis for the design of the tricolor flag adopted in 1790. However, the 1790 flag colors were reversed, with red on the hoist side and blue on the fly side. Jacques-Louis David modified the flag’s design and adopted it in 1794. 

National Anthem

• Anthem Title: La Marseillaise (The Marseillaise)
• Music composer and Lyricist: Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
• Date of Adoption: July 14, 1795

Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed La Marseillaise in 1792 while in Strasbourg immediately after France declared war with Austria. He titled the song “Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine). Three years later, the song was adopted as the Republic’s national anthem by the French National Convention. 

France is home to one of the biggest economies in the world. Globally, it is ranked the sixth largest economy in consideration to nominal data produced by IMF in 2017. Ranking France according to purchasing power parity, the country is placed at position of tenth globally. It is positioned third among the European countries, with Germany having the biggest economy. France is a member of the European Union. As such, the Euro is the country’s official currency like other EU members. France was one of the first countries to the euro in 2002 and used it alongside the French franc, which was its old currency. The official symbol for the euro is €.

Coins

The euro is divided into euro cents, with 100 cents as the smallest denomination. Euro coins are available in several denominations, including 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20, 50c, €1, and €2. All the coins have similar features, with the only difference being the denomination. 

Banknotes

Euro banknotes have similar designs on both sides and are issued in the denomination of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, € 200, and €500. However, each note has its color, with each dedicated to an artistic period in the history of European architecture. Other features include gateways or windows on observe and bridges on the reverse side. 

History of Currencies of France

The original currency used in France was the French franc. It was introduced in 1360 and used until 1641. It was again introduced in 1795 and revalued in 1960 after a long period of inflation with each new franc (NF) worth 100 old francs. Franc was used until the country adopted the use of the euro. The first franc coins were made of gold and used to pay ransom for the king.