Sources on French awards - Books

[Christophe]

Books about French orders and medals

Here is a small suggestion of books about French Orders & Medals :

"Décorations Officielles Françaises".

By Administration des Monnaies et Médailles (Monnaie de Paris) - 1956 - 291 pages - 7000 copies published. In French.

Very detailed on each order and medal issued before... 1956.

Still available at the Monnaie de Paris' shop, or on their website online shop.

Ch.

[Christophe]

"Les Décorations Françaises"

Foreword by General Douin - 2004 - 108 pages - In French - Published by Trésor du Patrimoine. Paris.
Not very detailed but includes a profile of each medal. Good book for a beginner.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Guide Pratique des Décorations Françaises Actuelles

By Jean Battini and Witold Zaniewicki - 2nd Edition - 2003 - 385 pages - In French - Published by Editions Lavauzelle. Paris.

Very practical guide, including detailed elements about the French medals their history and their conditions of awarding.

Ch.

[Christophe]

And now 2 other and older books by André Souyris-Rolland.

They may sometimes be difficult to find, but are worthwile, and two excellent books.

Guide des Ordres, Décorations et Médailles Militaires - 1814-1963

By André Souyris-Rolland - 1979 (4th edition in 1991) - Published by Préal. Paris - 136 pages - In French.

Ch.

[Christophe]

And its civil counterpart :

Guide des Ordres Civils, des Médailles d'Honneur et des médailles de Sociétés

By André Souyris-Rolland - 1979 - Published by Préal. Paris - 148 pages - In French - 2000 copies.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Ordres de Chevalerie. Décorations et médailles français

By Jean-Pierre Collignon - 2004 - Published by Jean-Pierre Collignon - 464 pages - In French - 1500 numbered copies.

Expensive book, but worth the price. Covers the 1425 - 1870 period and shows 1400 photographs at the exact scale. The Reference today, for this period.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Les Ordres de Chevalerie et les Décorations

By André Damien - 2002 - Published by Mémoires et Documents - 192 pages - In French.

Nice book on history of orders, medals and decorations in France.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Dictionnaire des Compagnons de la Libération

(Dictionary of the Companions of the Liberation)

By Vladimir Trouplin - 2010 - 1232 pages - In French - Published by Elytis 2010. Bordeaux.

This book gathers the 1061 bios of all Companions of the Liberation. Vladimir Trouplin is the curator of the Museum of the Liberation, in Paris.

Ch.

[Christophe]

La Médaille Coloniale - Guide du collectionneur.

By Patrick Binet - 2010 - 256 pages - In French - Published by PBCO Editions.

It is excellent in terms of content and very nice in terms of lay out !!! Really superb !!
Inside are descibed not only the medals, but bars, miniatures, and maker marks !!
A new book to buy it before it becomes rare and unfindable !!

Ch.

[Doc Riley]

Emering, Edward J. Orders, Decorations and Medals of the French Overseas and the Post-Colonial Period. 2003. Orders and Medals society of America. CD-ROM.

With over 380 color pictures and excellent descriptions, this is an excellent resource.