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Playing Cards from France

French Playing Cards

Some of the oldest cards still in existence come from France. During the 16th and 17th centuries France was the major supplier of playing cards in Europe.

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Bretagne

Bretagne

Jeu de Cartes “Bretagne” conveying their cultural identity.

British Monarchs

British Monarchs

Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th July 1981.

British Museum Playing Cards

British Museum Playing Cards

Unique pack of playing cards created for the British Museum with illustrations by Frances Button.

Burgundy pattern - portrait bourguignon

Burgundy pattern - portrait bourguignon

The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.

Butagaz

Butagaz

“Butagaz” playing cards for the French gas company, c.1976

Cancan

Cancan

Lightly risqué luxury playing cards published by Éditions Philibert of Paris in 1956.

Carmen playing cards

Carmen playing cards

Characters and scenes from the 1984 film of Bizet’s most famous opera, Carmen.

Cartavi

Cartavi

Promotional pack for AVI paints, with 54 different colours on the backs.

Carte Méthodique

Carte Méthodique

Reproduction of a French pack by François Silvestre intended to teach heraldry, produced in Paris in 1712.

Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles

Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles

Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles Héron - Catalan pattern.

Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes

Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes

Standard French cards but printed with fluorescent inks on a black background.

Cartes à Jouer Héron

Cartes à Jouer Héron

Promotional decks by Héron.

Cartes à Rire

Cartes à Rire

Transformed playing cards featuring satirical caricatures of political figures then in the ascendant, Paris, c.1819.

Cartes Catalanes

Cartes Catalanes

Cartes Catalanes are used in a small area in the Eastern Pyrenees region of Southern France.

Cartes Catalanes by Fossorier, Amar et Cie

Cartes Catalanes by Fossorier, Amar et Cie

‘Cartes Catalanes’ published by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris)

Cartes Comiques du Colonel Atthalin

Cartes Comiques du Colonel Atthalin

“Jeu de cartes comiques” transformation cards designed by Louis Atthalin (1784-1856) and published in 1817.

Cartes enfantines

Cartes enfantines

Miniature 18th century Paris pattern cards for children, with decorated aces and 2s.

Cartes Illustrées

Cartes Illustrées

Standard French designs adapted for children. Made by France Cartes for La Grande Récré, c.2016.

Cartes Imperiales et Royales

Cartes Imperiales et Royales

‘Cartes Imperiales et Royales’ published by B. P. Grimaud & Cie representing imperial rulers and consorts from Austria, England, France & Russia, mid-19th century

Cartes Questions-Devinettes

Cartes Questions-Devinettes

A “Questions & Answers” family game from France produced by Imagerie Pellerin.