The Flag of France

The flag of France, known as the Tricolour (le drapeau tricolore), is the national emblem of the French Republic.

It is a rectangular flag with three equally sized vertical bands of colour: blue, white, and red.

Symbolism and History

The Tricolour originated during the French Revolution (1789) and represents the union of the monarchy and the people, and is widely seen as embodying the core values of the Republic:

• Blue and Red: These are the traditional colours of Paris, the capital city, and were worn by the revolutionary militia (the people).

  • Historically, the colours are sometimes associated with the Virgin Mary, the patroness of France.

• White: This was the traditional colour of the King of France and the Bourbon monarchy. It was added to the revolutionary colours by the Marquis de Lafayette to "nationalize" the design and symbolize the alliance between the King and the people.

The flag has remained the national emblem since its adoption, though the specific shades of blue and red have occasionally been adjusted. It is one of the most historically influential national flags, inspiring many other nations to adopt tricolour designs.