Flag of FranceRépublique française

What the flag looks like

The French flag consists of three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist), white (center) and red (fly). The proportion is 2:3. It was adopted on 15 February 1794 during the French Revolution and has remained the national flag ever since, with only brief interruptions in 1814–1830 and 1848.

Colors and meaning

Blue and red are the traditional colors of Paris, worn by the militia that stormed the Bastille in 1789. White was the color of the Bourbon monarchy. Combined, they represent the union of the people and the crown under the new republic — and are popularly said to stand for liberty, equality and fraternity.

Blue

The traditional color of Paris, associated with Saint Martin and the city's militia. Often linked to liberty.

White

The color of the Bourbon monarchy and the royal standard of France before the Revolution. Placed between blue and red, it represents peace and the reconciliation of the nation.

Red

The traditional color of Paris, associated with Saint Denis and the revolutionary flag of 1789. Often linked to equality and the blood of the revolution.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

The popular association of blue, white and red with the national motto is a 19th-century interpretation, not part of the original design.

History and adoption

The Tricolore emerged during the French Revolution. On 13 July 1789, the day before the storming of the Bastille, Parisian militia adopted a cockade of blue and red — the city's colors. On 17 July, Lafayette added white to create a national cockade combining the colors of Paris with the royal white. A flag based on this cockade was adopted by the National Convention on 15 February 1794. It was briefly replaced during the Bourbon Restoration (1814–1830) and the Second Republic (1848), but has been the national flag continuously since 1830.

Key facts

Adopted

15 February 1794

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Lafayette (cockade origin)

Capital

Paris

Country code

FR

Similar flags

Netherlands, Russia, Luxembourg

Historical and related flags

France has changed its national flag several times, and the Tricolore itself has been used in several configurations.

• Kingdom of France (pre-1789): White flag with golden fleurs-de-lis.
• Bourbon Restoration (1814–1830): Plain white flag.
• July Monarchy (1830–1848): Tricolore with a restored cockade.
• Second Republic (1848): Briefly red flag considered, then Tricolore retained.
• Vichy France (1940–1944): Tricolore with a Francisque emblem.
• Free France (1940–1944): Tricolore with a red Cross of Lorraine.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of France look like?

The flag of France is a vertical tricolor of blue, white and red in three equal bands. It is known as the Tricolore.

When was the flag of France adopted?

The current flag of France was officially adopted on 15 February 1794.

What do the colors mean?

Blue and red are the traditional colors of Paris, worn by the militia that stormed the Bastille in 1789. White was the color of the Bourbon monarchy. Combined, they represent the union of the people and the crown under the new republic — and are popularly said to stand for liberty, equality and fraternity.

Which flags look similar to the France flag?

The Netherlands and Luxembourg also use vertical blue-white-red tricolors, but with different proportions and shades. France's blue is darker and Luxembourg's blue is lighter.