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

French Catalan pattern
Cartes Catalanes by Dieudonné et Cie, France, c.1895
These Spanish-suited cards are used in a small area in the Eastern Pyrenees region of Southern France which has strong Catalan traditions. The French Catalan pattern seems to have developed its own identity in Perpignan during the nineeenth century. The designs are derived from the old Spanish National pattern but are different from the Spanish Catalan pattern. The broken frame lines, or pintas, have been preserved.

Above: Cartes Catalanes by Dieudonné et Cie, Angers & Paris, France, c.1895. The cards are manufactured by descendents of Jean Dieudonné of Grevenmacher (c.1720-1795).
Cartes Catalanes by La Ducale, France


Above: Cartes Catalanes are used in a small area in the Eastern Pyrenees region of Southern France, 48 cards.

By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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