- These are banknotes issued during the Vichy France regime, officially the French State (État français), during World War II.
- In 1941, the Chief of the French State, Philippe Pétain, ordered that the previous Banque de France (BDF) banknote series should be replaced.
- Instead of allegories and mythological figures, the new banknotes portrayed professions, family values and historical figures:
- 5 cinq french francs: Pyrenean shepherd (berger), woman and flowers on back. This banknote is the smallest French note ever issued.
- 10 dix french francs: Miners, mother and young child on back
- 20 vingt french francs: Breton Fisherman, 2 women and child on back
- 100 cent french francs: René Descartes, philosopher, angel on back
- 500 cinq cents french francs: Jean-Baptiste Colbert, politician, sailing ships and docks on back
- 1000 mille french francs: Demeter with child, bronze statue of Mercury against panorama of Rouen on back
- These banknotes circulated in 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944. The banknotes of 5F, 10F, 20F and 50 Francs continued to circulate until 1950-1951.
- The 100F, 500F and 1000F bills lost their legal tender value after the exchange operation of 4 June 1945.
- We still accept these old French Francs for exchange, against the exchange rate displayed above.
- If you have old Vichy France money like these banknotes, exchange them using our quick and easy online exchange service.
- To redeem your old WWII French Franc paper money: Fill out our exchange form