Introduction
The flag of Hauts-de-France is the official banner of the administrative region in northern France, established in 2016. It is a distinctive heraldic banner featuring a stylized representation of a lion and fleur-de-lis on a field of blue and yellow. The design is a modern fusion of symbols representing the two former regions, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy, which merged to form the current entity.
The flag's layout is a vertical bicolor of blue (hoist) and yellow (fly). Centered on this division is a white logotype created by the agency Designers Unit, which serves as the region's primary visual identity. This emblem is the central charge on the flag, replacing a more traditional coat of arms.
Unlike many French regional flags, it does not follow a traditional heraldic shield format but uses a contemporary graphic symbol as its central motif. The flag is used officially by the Regional Council and appears on government buildings, official documents, and promotional materials throughout the territory.
Meaning & Symbolism
The flag's primary symbolism lies in its two colors and its central emblem. The blue field on the hoist side represents the former region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, while the yellow field on the fly side represents the former region of Picardy. This color division visually manifests the union of the two historical territories.
The central white logotype is a stylized, abstract design. It combines the form of a lion (a traditional symbol of Flanders and Hainaut within Nord-Pas-de-Calais) with three fleurs-de-lis (a historic symbol of Picardy and of French royalty). The intertwined design symbolizes the fusion and joint future of the two merged regions, creating a new, unified identity for Hauts-de-France.
History of the Hauts-de-France Flag
The flag was adopted following the territorial reform of French regions in 2016, which merged Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. The new region's visual identity, including the flag, was launched on March 31, 2016. The design was selected through a process managed by the Regional Council, which commissioned the Paris-based agency Designers Unit to create a cohesive brand.
The chosen logo and flag were part of a comprehensive visual identity system intended for all official communications. The adoption marked a deliberate shift from traditional heraldry to a modern, graphic design-based emblem, aiming for broad recognition and versatility in digital and print media.
Curiosities
- The flag's central emblem is officially described as a 'graphic signature' and is used identically on the flag, letterheads, and vehicles, making it a highly integrated brand.
- Unlike most French regional flags which are based on historic coats of arms, the Hauts-de-France flag is a direct application of a corporate logotype, a relatively modern approach in European vexillology.
- The specific shades are defined for consistent reproduction: the blue is Pantone 294 C, and the yellow is Pantone 116 C.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Hauts-de-France in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag follows a standard 2:3 proportion. It is divided vertically into two equal fields: a blue (Pantone 294 C) field at the hoist and a yellow (Pantone 116 C) field at the fly. The official white logotype is centered precisely on the vertical dividing line, with its height typically spanning a significant portion of the flag's width for clear visibility.
Flags Similar to Hauts-de-France Flag
Ukraine
bicolor · blue/yellow bicolor
Sweden
cross with offset emblem
Kazakhstan
bicolor with central emblem
Common Misidentifications
From a distance, the blue and yellow bicolor can be mistaken for the flag of Ukraine, though the central white emblem distinguishes it.