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Bourges (Municipality, Cher, France)

by Pascal Vagnat

Description of the flag

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Description of the flag

The flag of the city is green-red vertically. Proportions 2:3.

The origin of this flag is very difficult to establish. It might be related to King Charles VII. At the time of that King, France was occupied by England (Hundred Years' War). The King had to take refuge in the city of Bourges, which became the capital city of France. The only part of the Kingdom left to the King was a big area around Bourges. The King was called "the King of Bourges" by the Englishmen. We all know what happened then, the King managed to reconquest territories with the help of Joan of Arc. To thanks the inhabitants of Bourges for having helped him, the King gave two colours of his livery, which was green-white-red to the city. The white colour was not given because it was the Royal colour par excellence. These two colours have been the colours of the city since then.

The flag is flying on the 6th of September each year for the memory of the liberation of the city on the 6th of September 1944. It is also flying on other occasions, like feasts. There aren't any flags with the coat of arms, though one has been seen when the city of Palencia became officially the twin city of Bourges.

Pascal Vagnat, 8 January 1999