Introduced in 2005, the Marianne des Français became France’s definitive stamp series, replacing the Marianne du 14 Juillet. The design was created by Thierry Lamouche (b.1955) from artwork by Christian Broutin (b.1933) and engraved by Claude Jumelet (b.1946). Selected by President Jacques Chirac following a nationwide competition, it portrays a stylized Marianne in profile wearing the traditional Phrygian cap, accompanied by floral elements symbolizing growth and renewal, with the inscriptions “La Poste” and “France.”
Issued only in euro denominations, the series reflected France’s modern postal identity while maintaining the long tradition of Marianne as the emblem of the French Republic. During its production, responsibility for stamp engraving and printing transitioned from ITVF (Imprimerie des Timbres-Poste et Valeurs Fiduciaires) to Phil@poste, whose name appears in the stamp margins on later printings. Produced in numerous denominations, formats, and colors to meet changing postal rates, the series remained in use until 2008, when it was replaced by the Marianne et l’Europe.
France