FRENCH REPUBLIC

CURRENT NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS

Notes

The blue-white-red Tricolor, first adopted as the national flag of France in 1794, serves as the contemporary French Republic's naval ensign and jack. Tricolors for use at sea are made with stripes of unequal width (30:33:37 proportions); this is supposed make them look equal in width when viewed from a distance at sea. A special "Honor Jack" may also be worn by French warships. Originally it was authorized for naval vessels that had served in the Free French Navy (FNFL) during World War II; today it is authorized for any warship which bears the same name as an FNFL vessel. The Honor Jack displays the symbol of Free France, the Cross of Lorraine.

Most appointment and rank flags of the French Navy are based on the Tricolor. Technically "Admiral of France" is not a rank but an honorary title granted for distinguished service, corresponding to "Marshal of France" in the Army. Other admirals have tricolor flags with stars corresponding to rank. Captains in command of naval groups fly a Tricolor broad pennant with a star in the hoist; Captains commanding ships who are also senior officers of naval groups fly the same broad pennant, but without the star. Senior officers of naval groups below the rank of Captain fly a triangular Tricolor pennant. Temporary commanding officers of naval groups and commanding officers of harbor guardships fly triangular blue and white-blue pennants respectively.

Left: NAVAL ENSIGN & JACK          Right: HONOR JACK

 

COMMISSIONING PENNANT
 

APPOINTMENT & RANK FLAGS & PENNANTS

Left: ADMIRAL OF FRANCE (Amiral de France)     Right: NAVAL CHIEF OF STAFF

 

Left: FLEET ADMIRAL (Amiral)     Right: ADMIRAL (Vice Amiral d'Escadre)

 

Left: VICE-ADMIRAL (Vice Amiral)     Right: REAR-ADMIRAL (Contre Amiral)

 

COMMODORE
(Capitaine de vaisseau, titulaire d'une commission de chef de division)
 

CAPTAIN COMMANDING A NAVAL GROUP
 

Left: COMMANDER OR LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER COMMANDING A NAVAL GROUP
Right: TEMPORARY COMMANDING OFFICER
 

COMMANDING OFFICER OF A HARBOR GUARDSHIP

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