The national flag of France consists of three verticle coloured bands. The hoist side being blue, the centre being white and the fly being red. The flag is known as the French tricolour or tricolore to English speakers. The flag was originally red and blue. These colours came from a cockade (a small military ribbon) which was liked by the king. The French royal colour is white hence the colour white was added.

The combination of the Flag was credited to Marquis de Lafayette. He was a French Military officer who, in 2002 was made an honorary citizen of the United States for participating in the french and American revolutions.

In 1790, the tricolour was first used on Naval Flags as a canton, but was extended to the whole field in 1794. On February 15

1794, the French National Convention claimed the current version as the National flag.

In May 20, 1794, the new version of the flag came into use. This was to prevent confusion in naval warfare. But not everybody welcomed it and the navy threatened to rebel!