Last modified: 2018-07-14 by ivan sache
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Color of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the Recollect convent located Faubourg Saint Martin, transformed during the Revolution in an hospital for the elderly.
White flag. In each corner, a yellow fleur-de-lis pointing centrewise. At the top a yellow "3". At the bottom, a yellow "I" (not
visible on Tisserand's rendition). In the centre, two staffs crossed in
saltire and surmounted by a crown. Below a silver scroll with the motto
"POUR LA LIBERTE" (French: For Freedom).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district, presided by Rousseau, was named for the St. Nicolas-des-Champs church, originally built before 1119 near the St. Martin-des-Champs priory. The erection of the present-day church was started in 1420 and completed in the 16th century.
In 1623, on Lent day, St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660, canonized on 11
March 1934 by Pope Pius XI) experienced in the church an effusion of the
Holy Ghost, which prompted her to establish the Company of the Daughters
of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Quartered flag. The first quarter white with a silver scroll inscribed
"SANS UNION" (French: Without Unity). The fourth quarter white with a
silver scroll inscribed "POINT DE LIBERTE" (French: No Liberty). The
second quarter blue with a white cloud charged with a yellow monogram
(SNC?). The third quarter red with a white cloud charged with a yellow
monogram (SNC?). In the centre, the coat of arms of Paris in an oval
shield, surmounted by a spear topped with a red Liberty Cap.
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
The flag was blessed on 9 August 1789, in the presence of Lafayette.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the St. Elisabeth convent and church, established by Franciscan nuns. Closed in 1790, the convent was transformed into a flour store. The church was reestablished a parish church in 1803.
Flag quartered blue-red by a white cross. In each corner a yellow
garland lining the edges of the flag. In the centre, fasces topped with
a silver Liberty Cap, overall a silver flag. Overall a silver scroll
bordered red with the motto "VAINCRE OU MOURIR" (French: To Win or To Die).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 4th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district, presided by Magimel, writer, was named for the St. Merry church, whose building started around 1520 and was achieved only in the beginning of the reign of Louis XIII (crowned in 1610). In 1793, the church was transformed into the Temple of Commerce.
Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. In the red quarters, a silver
ship. In the blue quarters, three yellow fleurs-de-lis 2 + 1. In the
centre, a lion, surrounded by the writing "4e Bataillon" "3e Division".
Above a silver scroll with the motto "FORCE LIBERTE PAIX" (French:
Strength, Liberty, Death).
White sash.
Flag offered by the commander of the Battalion.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 5th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the Carmelite convent founded in 1617. Closed in 1790, the convent was transformed into a ballroom under the Directory.
Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. In the first quarter, an
allegoric rural scene, featuring a rooster. In the second quarter, a
white shield with three yellow fleurs-de-is, crowned and surrounded by
branches. In the third quarter, the coat of arms of Paris (?), crowned
and surrounded by branches. In the fourth quarter, a fasces over two
cannons crossed in saltire. In the centre, a mantle charged with
different tools. Below a parchment inscribed "DISTRICT DES CARMELITES".
Above, a silver scroll with the motto "NOTRE UNION FAIT NOTRE FORCE"
(French, Our Unity makes our Strength).
White sash.
Flag offered by the ladies of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]
E. Liris explains that the color features, in a quite elaborated way, the emblems of the three orders grouped to form fasces. Nobility is
represented by a golden-hilted swoard. Clergy is represented by a
crozier. The Commune of Paris is represented by a spade, a rake, and a
sickle, accompanied by a hand of justice; the whole is surrounded by a
snake whose head lies on a mirror. Beneath the trophy, two hands hold a
caduceus surmounted by a cap. This tortured composition recalls the
complexity of untiy, which requires cohesion, but also care and wisdom.
The charges placed in the color's corners echo to each other,
representing old and new or renewed symbols. A rooster with a silver
crest announces the conquest of liberty, as opposed to a fasces of
pikes; in the two other angles, the Royal crown is opposed to the ship
representing the town of Paris.
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 6th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the convent founded in 1226 and subsequently transferred in an hospital built in 1316 near the St. Denis Gate. The convent was demolished in 1798.
Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. The quarters each charged with
10 x 10 yellow fleurs-de-lis. In the canton of the first quarter, a coat
of arms (Paris?). In the lower right part of the fourth quarter, a
yellow anchor pointing centrewise. In the centre Joan of
Arc framed in a square diamond, over an arrow pointing upwards and two
fasces topped by a Liberty Cap crossed in saltire. Above, a silver
scroll inscribed "MON COURAGE SAUVA L'ETAT" (French, My Courage saved
the State).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 7th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the fortified abbey of St. Martin des Champs. In 1789, the monks offered the abbey to the State, which transformed it into the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts ("Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers").
White flag with a military scene representing a rooster on a cannon in
front of a tent. Below, a silver scroll with the writing "DISTRICT DE ST
MARTIN DES CHAMPS". Above, a silver scroll with the motto "JE VEILLE
POUR LA PATRIE" (French, I watch for the Homeland).
White sash.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 8th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the hospital for orphans ("Enfants de Dieu", God's Children), founded in 1536 by Marguerite of Navarre, the sister of King François I. The children wore red (rouge) clothes, then the symbol of charity; therefore, the name of the hospital became Enfants Rouges (Red Children). The hospital was closed in 1772, the orphans being transferred to the Enfants Trouvés hospital, located on the Cité island. The chapel of the former hospital was used as the seat of the section of the National Guard, subsequently the Homme Armé section.
Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. The quarters each charged with
4 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 4 (18) yellow fleurs-de-lis. In the centre a ship flying
a silver plain flag. Above, a silver scroll inscribed "VIS UNITA
FORTIOR" (Latin, United Strength is Stronger).
White sash.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 9th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district, presided by Incelin, former municipal councillor, was named for the St. Lawrence convent and church. St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) died and was buried in the convent. On the eve of the storming of the Bastile, the convent was looted by the mob because grain and flour was stored there. The church was demolished in 1823.
Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. At the top, the letters "S"
and "L". In the centre an allegoric figure holding a spear topped with a
Liberty Cap, framed by a circular wreath. At the top of the wreath, a
silver scroll inscribed "EX VIRTUTE LIBERTAS" (Latin, Liberty from Courage).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018
Color of the 10th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875
The district was named for the Notre Dame de Nazareth convent,
established in 1630 by members of the Third Order of St. Francis,
supported by Chancellor Séguier. Subsequently known as Nazareth Fathers,
the monks left the place in 1791, while demolition of the church had
already began.
[French National Library]
White flag. In the centre Hercules slaying a dragon, framed by an oval
wreath. In the upper right and lower left corners, Louis XVI's monogram.
In central left and right, a fleur-de-lis. Charges (unreadable) in the
upper left and lower right corners Above the wreath, a silver scroll
with the motto "IL EST ENFIN TERRASSE" (French: It is finally slayed).
Red-blue sash.
The color was blessed on 9 August 1789.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]
E. Liris explains that the color features a violent fighting from the past. A half-naked savage triumphs over a two-headed, monstruous beast.
The terrifying enemy, representing aristocracy, is about to die: the
savage tramples one of the heads with his feet and strangles the second
one. Caricatures from the time commonly represent "despotism brought
down, or the big beast's hunt". The savage is represented like Hercules
slaying the Hydra of Lerna, the fighting for freedom being transposed
into an heroic mode.
The rooster holding the scroll, usually announcing the new morning,
proclaims the victory over aristocracy and the birth of a new world
that shall allow "National Union", represented here as an equilateral
triangle inscribed in a circle.
Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018