Le Tarot du Pays Cathare

Editions Delasko started publishing a series of French Tarot game packs with regional photos on the trumps in about 2007. These included Bassin d’Arcachon, Belle Ile en Mer, Concarneau, Franche Comté, Golfe du Morbihan, and Ile de Ré, as well as one on prehistory and one on the Tuaregs (2009). More than one of these packs strangely used English-style courts adapted for the French Tarot format, as here. A different set of colours has been used for each suit, with a newly created cavalier who grips his horse’s neck (same design of cavalier but different colours and detailing in each suit). The colour photos of Cathar monuments and sites on the trumps in this pack are the work of Paul Palau, while Eyma.H is credited as the designer/overall creator. A key to the tourist sites (all in modern-day Occitanie) can be found on the extra card. The cards have a high-gloss finish.

Above: Le Tarot du Pays Cathare published by Editions Delasko (Jean-Marc Poiriez), Paris, France, c2010. Printer unknown. 78 cards + 1 extra card (key to photos) in tuck box. Size: 69 x 120 mm.

As far as I know, this publisher had a short existence (maybe only two or three years?). Perhaps the publisher overstretched himself by producing too many different packs in too short a time. Whatever the reason, Jean-Marc Poiriez seems to have started a new business only a few years later, operating from Pessac in the Gironde.