Timeline 1910 The Gitanes cigarette brand was born.
1927 Cigarettes de la Régie Française, 1930s
Maurice Giot was the first famous designer to create imagery for Gitanes cigarette packets. He introduced an art deco-style pack design.
1943 Molusson introduced the ‘Gitanes Gypsy’ to its pack design. Print by Dransy, 1931
1947 Max Ponty developed the Gypsy silhouette, adding a wisp of smoke to the design. This image is still recognisable on Gitanes packs. Print by Raymond Savignac, 1954
1986 Gitanes Blondes cigarettes were introduced in France.
1990s Print by Herve Morvan, 1961
Awareness of the brand was heightened by its sponsorship of motorsport events such as Formula One and the Dakar rally.
2008 Print by Villemot, 1980
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UK FTSE company Imperial Tobacco added Gitanes and Gauloises to its portfolio through the acquisition of manufacturer Altadis, making it the world’s fourth-biggest cigarette business.