Bleuet de France
The French cornflower badge for remembrance and support of war victims
The Bleuet de France is a badge shaped like a cornflower, worn in France to honor veterans and victims of war and terrorism. Sold mainly on 11 November and 8 May, its sales support charitable works for those affected by conflict.
- The badge is sold on 11 November and 8 May in France.
- Funds from sales support veterans and war victims.
- It began as a craft for wounded soldiers in 1916.
- The blue color recalls both cornflowers and soldiers' uniforms.
- It is France's official symbol of remembrance.
What is Bleuet de France?
The Bleuet de France is a small badge shaped like a cornflower, usually made from blue tissue paper or fabric. It is worn on clothing, especially near the chest, as a visible sign of remembrance and solidarity. The badge stands out for its bright blue color, echoing both the cornflower found on battlefields and the blue uniforms of young French conscripts during the First World War.
Where does Bleuet de France come from?
The badge began in 1916 at Les Invalides hospital in Paris, created by Suzanne Lenhardt and Charlotte Malleterre. They organized workshops for wounded soldiers to make cornflower badges from tissue paper, providing both activity and a small income. The cornflower itself grew on devastated battlefields, and its blue color matched the uniforms of new French soldiers, known as 'bleuets'. Over time, the badge became a national symbol of remembrance, officially recognized and promoted across France.
How Bleuet de France is made
Originally, the badges were handmade by wounded soldiers using blue tissue paper. Today, they are still crafted from blue materials to resemble the cornflower, with a simple layered petal design. The badges are distributed and sold by volunteers and organizations, especially around the two main commemorative dates in May and November.
When and where Bleuet de France is used
The Bleuet de France is worn by people in France on 11 November (Remembrance Day) and 8 May (VE Day) to honor those who have suffered or died in war and acts of terrorism. The sale of these badges raises funds for veterans, war victims, and their families. Wearing the badge is a public gesture of support and memory, similar to the poppy in the Commonwealth.
Forms of Bleuet de France
While the basic badge remains a blue cornflower, there may be slight differences in size, material, or style depending on the maker or the year. The essential design—a blue flower—remains unchanged to preserve its symbolic meaning.
What Bleuet de France means
The Bleuet de France is a strong symbol in French culture, representing memory, solidarity, and support for those affected by war. Its image appears in art, literature, and public ceremonies. The badge is officially recognized and promoted by the French government, and its sales continue to fund charitable works for veterans and victims of conflict.
The flowers of Bleuet de France
Days and festivals
Questions people ask about Bleuet de France
What is the Bleuet de France?
The Bleuet de France is a blue cornflower-shaped badge worn in France to honor and support veterans and victims of war and terrorism. It is sold mainly on 11 November and 8 May, with proceeds going to charitable causes.
Where does the Bleuet de France tradition come from?
The tradition began in 1916 at Les Invalides, where wounded soldiers made cornflower badges from tissue paper. The cornflower grew on battlefields and matched the blue uniforms of new French soldiers, making it a symbol of hope and remembrance.
How is the Bleuet de France used today?
People in France wear the badge on Remembrance Day and VE Day to show solidarity with those affected by war. The badges are sold to raise funds for veterans and victims, and wearing one is a public gesture of remembrance.
What does the Bleuet de France symbolize?
It symbolizes memory, solidarity, and support for those who have suffered in war or terrorism. The blue cornflower recalls both the flowers that grew on battlefields and the uniforms of young soldiers.
Good reading and sources
- Bleuet de France on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bleuet de France", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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