This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of France.
See main article: Ceres series (France). The first stamps of France were issued on 1 January 1849.[1] They were designed by Jacques-Jean Barre. The medallion depicts the head of goddess Ceres facing left.
In 1852 a new series of definitive stamps were issued, retaining the inscription "REPUB FRANC" but replacing Ceres with the head of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte.
In 1853, after proclamation of the 2nd Empire, the inscription was changed to "EMPIRE FRANC", while retaining the head of Napoleon III in the medallion.
Starting in 1862, a new type of definitive stamp was introduced. It depicts the head of Napoleon III with a laurel wreath and the inscription changed to "EMPIRE-FRANÇAIS".
The Napoleon stamps remained in use until the fall of the 2nd Empire in 1870.
See main article: Type Sage. The Ceres series stamps, in a slightly different design and printed in lithography, were reintroduced in 1870 and remained in use until 1876. In 1876 a new design of definitive stamps was introduced. It was designed by Jules Auguste Sage and displayed an allegory of Commerce and Peace.