Flag of France
countryThe flag of France was adopted on February 15, 1794. Vertical tricolour. It uses 3 colours: blue, white and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of France |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Official Country Name | French Republic |
| Capital | Paris |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | FR / FRA |
| Internet Domain | .fr |
| Calling Code | +33 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | French |
| Demonym | French |
| Area | 551,695 km² |
| Population | 68 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of France |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 15, 1794 |
| First Used | 1790 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 15, 1794 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red |
| Design Type | Vertical tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of France |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #000091 | 0, 0, 145 | 100, 100, 0, 43 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #E1000F | 225, 0, 15 | 0, 100, 93, 12 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the colour of Saint Martin and of Paris |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the monarchy and the House of Bourbon |
| Red colour | Represents the colour of Saint Denis and the Paris militia |
| Origin | The white of the king placed between the red and blue of Paris, made into a cockade in 1789 — the model for tricolour flags worldwide |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1790 | The design was first used |
| 1794-02-15 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
France Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of France
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 232 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 15, 1794 |
| Oldest Version | 1790 |
| Flag Nickname | Le Tricolore |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Andorra, Canary Islands, Chad |
| Unique Feature | Vertical tricolour |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of France
- The tricolour combines the white of the Bourbon monarchy with the red and blue of Paris, a combination first worn as a cockade in 1789.
- The bands were originally unequal in width to compensate for the visual effect of the flag flying; they were equalised in 1853 and remain so.
- The shade of blue was lightened in 1976 for television, then returned to the darker navy in 2020 by presidential decision — a change made quietly and noticed only later.
- The flag of France was officially adopted on February 15, 1794.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1790, 4 years before it was formally made the flag of France.
- The flag in its present form is 232 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical tricolour.
- The flag is known as Le Tricolore, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of France".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, white and red.
- The blue on the flag stands for the colour of Saint Martin and of Paris.
- The white on the flag stands for the monarchy and the House of Bourbon.
- The red on the flag stands for the colour of Saint Denis and the Paris militia.
- Origin: The white of the king placed between the red and blue of Paris, made into a cockade in 1789 — the model for tricolour flags worldwide.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Andorra, Canary Islands and Chad.
- France was never colonised. Its national day marks the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération a year later.
- Football is the most popular sport, with rugby union and cycling close behind.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of France
When was the flag of France adopted?
The flag of France was officially adopted on February 15, 1794, though the design had already been in use since 1790.
What do the colours of the flag of France mean?
Blue for the colour of Saint Martin and of Paris, white for the monarchy and the House of Bourbon and red for the colour of Saint Denis and the Paris militia.
When did France gain independence?
France was never colonised. Its national day marks the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération a year later.
What is the national sport of France?
Football is the most popular sport, with rugby union and cycling close behind.
What do the symbols on the flag of France represent?
Origin — The white of the king placed between the red and blue of Paris, made into a cockade in 1789 — the model for tricolour flags worldwide.
What are the proportions of the flag of France?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of France?
The national anthem is "La Marseillaise".
When is the national day of France?
It falls on 14 July, Bastille Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of France?
The national animal is the Gallic rooster, with Marianne as the national personification.
What is the capital of France?
The capital is Paris. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is French.