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Matchless Flat Twin 1916
An Outstanding Design by Harry Collier
Matchless 732cc HO Twin

Clement Ader
The Stuff of Legend
Pioneer in Telephony, Aviation and Motorcycling
Moteurs Ader

Guzzi's Grandpa
A shaft-drive transverse V-twin from 1904, another deft touch from Clement Ader.
Moto-Cardan

Rares cyclomoteurs et motos français

Notes on some quite obscure French marques

This page lists brands about which very little information is currently available. Many are mopeds and further information may be found via the moped resource page.
Some may not exist at all and are the result of erroneous information.
For a more complete listing visit the French Index.
A.C.V.
A.D.F.
Agami
A.G.S. manufacture des cycles Agami, Raismes - Nord
A.J.F
Allain Et Niquet
Altière see also Camille Foucaux
As De Trefle
Attard
Autoside, L'
Aviella
Axona
Aymard
Azda
Azurette des Frères Urago de Nices
Baillod
Ballandras
Ballot
Balouzat
Bancal
Barale
Barbulton
Barette
Baron de Poitiers
Barrio
Barthelemy
Bartlett
Bastet
Bastide. A machine built round an o.h.v. Blackburne engine.

"One motor cycle in this group - the Bastide - calls for special mention, as an example of how not to build a frame around an engine unit. Apparently the makers decided at the last moment to stage a model embodying the o.h.v., Blackburne engine, perhaps on account of the success of the D.F.R.-Blackburne at the Bois de Boulogne speed trials. A standard frame obviously did not leave room for the rather tall Blackburne, so to accommodate it the lower tank tube was bent upwards to clear the o.h. valve gear. This was not sufficient, however, to render the cylinder head accessible, hence it was necessary to take this distorted tube by a circuitous route. By the time this was achieved there was no room for the tank beneath the sloping top tube, and so it finally found a resting place on the top of the tube. The result is something startling, to say the least."
Paris Salon, 1922

Baudelaire
Baudon
Bazin
Bbl Marco
Beaur
Beck
Becognee
Bedin
Belgian
Belliard
Benoit Rosengart
B.G.
Bigeard
Bijou - F. Delaunay, 62 rue Rochechouart Paris advertised La Moto Bijou 175cmc, 2 speed 2-stroke in the early 1920s. ~ Zhumoriste. A Bijou sidecar is mentioned in an article on Radco from 1922.
Binoche
Binus
Biplex
B.J.
Blaise
Blanchard
Bluhm
Bob
Bobby. Ste A.R.C., 10 Rue Villaret de Joyeuse, Paris 17. 1953. Built 49cc engines.
Bonnet. Scooter built in 1953, Ets Bonnet, Ave du Général-Leclerc, Billancourt, Seine.
Bottin
Bouchereau
Boulevard
Boulez
Boune
Boutineau
Briand
Bridier-Charron
Brissonet
Britania des Ets Leroux de Nantes (c. 1957)
Broulet
Broune
Brunet
Burbury
Cagiva Ligier - In 1985 Guy Ligier, a French motorcycle racer and formula one car racer, built a Paris-Dakar competitor in collaboration with Cagiva who had recently taken control of the Ducati factory. The fuel tank of the 750cc twin carried 60 litres, sufficient for 600km. Source: moto-collection.org
Camille Morel
Camus
Canu
Caps
Carka
Carnutes see Gagnon
Causan
CD C.D.
Cecile
Ceel
C.E.I.M.I.A.
Celeripede
Cem
Cesbron
C.G.
C.G.C.
Champion - Ets Champion, 35 Rue Palestro, Romans. Built 50cc Baby Champion engines in 1951.
Chanard
Chansid
Chapeaux
Chatelard
Chave
Chevalier
Chevillard
Chimere
Choda
Cime
C.I.V.A.
Clarenton
Clarus, see Lédonien
CLB
Clerge
Clers & Pingault
Clima & Pingault
Clin-Comard
Clipper, see Lédonien
C.M.A.P.
C.M.S.
C.O.F.I.C.
Coispine
Colat
Colignon
Collin-Duresne
Columbia - Train engine unit with clutch, chain drive, spring forks, 26xl ¾in, tyres. Paris Salon, 1922
Comoto
Continental
Corbe
Corbel
Corbieres
Corky
Corona
Corpet Louvet
Coupet & Bertin
Couret-Boudin
Courtot
Coustolle
Coutheillas
Couturier
Croissant
C.S.V. CSV
Cumin & Michelin
Curtiss
Cyclauto
Cycleaid
Cycle Albert
Cyclocette d’Orléans (1952)
Cycloluxe engines, 1951-52, Ets Darris, 8 Rue de Richelieu, Paris 1°. 49cc Types H51, H52
Cyclone
Cycloperso
Cyclorette
Dambreville
Dangre
Dap
Dahl
Darioli
Darrio
Dassault
Daudan
Debello, see Lédonien
Debon
Dedome
Defi
Degrouas
Delangle
Delaune
Delda
Delefosse
Demaria-Lapierre
Denaux
Denier
Dephilipon
Desmoulins
Devaux
D.F.
D.G.D.
Diamon
Dieudonne-Deodat
Dixor de Villemomble (ca.1953)
D.M.S. - D·M·S Société LA MAZARINE. 9, Rue Mazarine - Paris-6e. Source: Moped SE
Doncques
Dourte
Drierre
Drouhiole
Druid
D.S. see DS Malterre
Dubois
Ducombs
Dufraigne
Duravia, 1950s moped, Myster 3 engine, suspension front and rear.
Dureau
Durif.F
Duris
Dyna
Eclair
Eiram
Elec
Electa
Electra
Electricar
Electrocyclette
Electromecanique
Eler
Elfe
Eliana
Elite, see F. Simon
Elmet
Elri
Emeriau
Emic
Endewell
Eolia
Epsorette
Eram
Ereir
Ernest Richard
Escal
Espujols
Etoile Des As
Eudeline D.
Eurac D.
Eurocycles
Europ - Usine à ste-radégonde (Indre-et-Loire). ABG VAP. See also Riva-Sport Industrie de Vichy. Source: Moped SE
Eve
Evicta
Evrard
Excell

Exshaw - 50x50 mm. two-stroke, on the carrier driving rear wheel by belt. Paris Salon, 1922
Fachard
F.A.G. see Gagnon
Faret, Bordeaux. Belt drive, 1920s.
Fastex
Faurne
Fernand Richard
Ferniot
Feuillet G
Fidelia
Finet
Fistollet
Flamand 85cc 1950s moped
Fleouter
Fletcher
Flex
Flexi
Florin
F.M.L. Paris, producer of Le Poulain and Myster engines. Source: mo-ped.se
F.M.R. FMR
Foller
F.O.R. FOR
Formand
Fortunay
Forward
Fournales
Fournol
Framca

Pelissier Moped

Francis Pélissier

Frete
Fontlup à La Clayette (ca.1953)
Fun Tech
Furtoss
F.V.L. FVL
Gallie Sport
Gallus
Galonni
Gardette
G.A.R (GAR)
Garnier

G.C. GC
G.C.S.
Gecem
Gelem de Levallois, Le Salon de Paris ca.1950. ABG VAP. Sources: Moped SE, buyvintage.com
La Gellette de Dijon (ca.1957). ABG VAP. Source: buyvintage.com
GFM pour Grossistes en Fournitures Général pour Motorisés de Caen, rachat stock Ravat (closed ca.1958). ABG VAP. Source: buyvintage.com
Gem
Geminiani
Gendron
Genest
Genius
Genot & Caille
Geo
Georma
Gep
Gille
Gimbretiere
Gines
Gioux
G.K. GK
Gloriol
Glotiot
G.M.B. GMB
G.M.R. GMR
Goeland
Goliath - Two-stroke. horizontally arranged over the rear wheel, driving by chain a countershaft, on which is a friction wheel engaging with the edge of the wheel rim. Paris Salon, 1922
Gouais
Goubeaut
Gourdin
Goyon
G.R. GR
Grandemange
Grandiere
Grasset
Gresse
Griffault
Grillon
Grimbetiere
Grivon
Grolbois
Grosso
Guedon
Guenon
Guinabodet
Guillaumont
Guphi
G.V. GV
H.B. des Ets Pierre Humblots de Paris (en 1950 et 1951)
Hab
Hechard
Hemy Ets. G.M.R., 8-10, Boulevard Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, Paris. (hilfsmotor). Source: Moped SE
Hennequin
Henriet
Henry & Cie
Herminette
Hess
Himel
Hirch & Davy
HSS-JAP
Hugonnier
Hulsmann
Humbert
Husson P
Hv Matra
Idole
Imbert & Roux
Isola
Itar & Roux
JB-Louet
Jacques Anquetil
Jam
Janin Fed
Janneret
JBB
JC2
Jeaniel
Jean Perrin
Jenatzy
Jepsy des Ets Moto-Accessoires de Nantes
Jesum
Jewel
J.M.J. JMJ
Jorand
Joulard
Joulou Marirel
Judene de Paris (ca.1950)
Juppet de Valence
J.P.X. JPX
Jubocette
Jules
Jullard
Jurax
K.E.D. KED
Keller
Kholer
K.Motor
Kyf
Baralette, La
La Finette
La Fusee
La Galette
La Goelette
La Huchette
La Licorne
La Marne
Lambert de Caen
La Massaire
La Motalux
La Moto Rey
La Nordiste
Petite Moto, La
Petit-Breton de Nantes (ca.1955)
Le Petit Roi - BMA 100cc 1940 (wikipedia.nl)
La Progrès
La Quotidienne
La Racieuse
La Randonette
La Roulante
La Savaltor
La Souris
La Triomphante
La Versaillaise
La Vivaraise
Labbé 1902. Motorcycle, eighth per kilometer launched from Deauville. Driver: Labbé. Bourdache p437.
Labinal
Lacquit
Lafarge
Laforcade
Laforey
Lafrasse
Lagere
Laigle
Lala & Cie
Lalane
Lamandiere & Cie
Lambotte
Lamoureux
Lanoy
Lapique
Larribe
Lauthier.L.
Lavalee & Rochel
Lazareth
L.D. (LD)
Le Chassis Rationnel
Le Coupe Vent
Le Flotteur
Le Gallion
Le Goupil
Le Grand Duc
Le Metais
Le Moustique
Le Mulet
Le Roy Lucien
Le Youyou
Le Leblanc
Lefeuvre

L'Elégante
ca. 1904
Under the name of L'Elégante, a 250cc (70x70mm) Monarque engine was sold by Ets J.B. Mercier, 6, rue St-Ferdinand, Paris. An automobile manufacturer, it is not clear whether motorcycles were also produced.
Bourdache p200

Leleu Pére & Fils
Lelot
Lemaitre & Girard
Leon Roux
Lepage
Lepoidevin
Lernould Breucq
Lescanne
Letellier
Liador
Lick
Lideau
Lido
Ligault B
Ligier B
Lion Du Nord
Lipman
L.J.M. LJM
Loelan
Lonnet
Lotteau
Louis Maquet
Louis Roux
LPL - 1924~1930 P. Lescanne built 175cc and 250cc two-stroke engines and possibly OHC four-strokes. Offices in rue des Vignoles, Paris. The 250cc L.P.L. 2T engine is known to have been used by CP Roleo in 1930. Source: Bourdache.
L.S.L. LSL
L.T.N. LTN
Luc
Lunant
L.V. LV
Macam
Machat
Magali d'Avignon (probably unrelated to Magali of 1903)
Manufacture Orléanaise de Cyclomoteurs (ca.1949)
Mazué A rider of this name participated in the Mont-Verdun coast race in 1911 on a motorcycle believed to have the same name. Bourdache p437.
Métropole de Paris (ca.1953) (there is also a Métropole 1903)
Messina de Metz (ca.1959)

Minimotor
Ets Minimotor, 310 avenue d'Argenteuil, Asnieres (Seine)
49cc cyclemotors built in 1951 and 52, poss other years. Unclear if these were actually built in France under licence, or the company was the main agent in France for the Italian firm.
See also Mini-Motor
Source: La Moto Francaise

Motarex de Saint-Etienne (ca.1958)
Motoscoter - Andre Jeunet, Dole, Jura
Magistral
Maglita
Maitre
Maleyre
Manson
Marant-Anzani
Marcailloux
Marchand & Godde
Margeot
Marquet
Massadier
Maudiquet
M.D. MD
Mecano
Merop
Mery
Metais, Le Metais
Meyer
M.G.D. MGD
Microma. Listed under Engines
Minaux
Mirou (Hilfs). Source: mo-ped.se
Mizer
Molitor
Moneclair
Morais
Morin
Motobijou
Moto-Comptoir de Marseille
Motodraisienne
Motogodille
Motomaitre
Motomar
Moto-Merveille
Motomignan
Motorecord
Motoreinette
Mototoclette -->
Motostock
Mototracteur
Motovapeur
Mouette D'or
Moularet
M.P.D. MPD
Muller
M.V.S. MVS
Myrabil

Myster Erroneously listed elsewhere as a moped manufacturer, the name applies to a moped engine built by Le Poulain.
Naas
Namour
Nancia de Nancy (vers 1950)
Naville
Nemausa
Nervacar
Nevejans
Niepce
Nivex, 1950, Mosquito engine.
Nobecourt
Nor 8

Norlux Type 147 c.1952, Briban engine

Norlux Type 147, Briban engine. Mentioned as appearing at a salon in 1952.

Nouvelet & Lacombe
Novaro
Ocean
Olympia Baby Ets F. Durif, 16 & 18, Rue Montgallet - Paris. Source: Moped SE
Omea & Batua
Oreal
Orette
Otokart
Otobiron - Paris Salon 1921, OHV four-stroke.
"In the latest scooters from the Otobiron shops the three and a half horsepower motor is under the saddle. The frame is larger and heavier than in former models, with a more comfortable seat. The pedals control brake and accelerator; otherwise the machine is operated from the hand grips like a motorcycle." ~ Popular Science, March 1922.
O.T.T. OTT
Oubron
O. Papize. - A Diamant under another name. Paris Salon, 1922
Paquet
P. et M. P&M
Padova
Palmer
Panda (Italian?)
Panhette
Pap
Pansard-Cheveques
Pasquier G
Paquin
Parnet
Patre
Patrick
Payan
Pelegrine
Pelton
Pem
Pequignot-Perron
Peregrine
Perrin s
Phenix
Philippe
Picca
Pichard
Pierme
Pierre
Pierreaux
Pif
Pigmy
Pirol
Piron
P.L. PL
P.L.T. PLT
Planeta
Pluton
Poly-Fay
Polyn
Pomaredes
Pommier
Pope
Potier-Lecorsier
Potin F
Pouch
Prada
Pradeau
Prado
Pratic-Side
Precius
Precy's
Prefer Lecomte
Prestar
Primador
Primo
Produc-Side

P.S.

P.S. Moteur - fitted to La Mascotte, 1923-24
P.S. - Similar to the Griffon, but with a Train engine unit, clutch and chain-drive. Linked spring fork with vertical laminated spring. Neat lady-model also shown. Paris Salon, 1922

Pursan
Quand Meme
Quenon
Querey
Quidet
R & P RP
R.L. RL
R.M. RM
Radco
Rabelle
Rabin
Rai
Rama
Ramus
Randonette
Rapidmoto
R.D. RD
Renard (estonia)
Rep
Rescor
Revest
Rey.L
Reynaud
Reyrol
Richard
Rigat
Riner
Ringeval
Rirce
Risam
River
Rob
Robail
Robert
Robust
Roca
Rogias de Rouen (a/c 1954)
Roll
Rolls
Riva-Milan S.C.C.M. 14-18, rue de Madrid, Vichy (Allier) (see also Motobloc RSI). Source: Moped SE
Rovas Celeritas de Dijon
Romu
Ronex
Ronzier
Roos
Rotosim
Roussel
Rouveyrol
Roveda
Roy
Royal-Dauphine
Royal-France
Royal-Phlox
Royal-Savoie
Rubis
Safer & Outremer
Sai
Saillet-Anzani
Saint-Georges
Sam
Samaritaine
Sanson
Saning
Sans Pareille
Sans Peur
Sarraca
Sauvage
Savarit
S.C. SC
S.C.A.
Scaf
Scheinder
Scintilla
S.C.O. SCO
Scotex
Scotter-Car
Scootomoto see Breton
Smagghe de Seclin (ca.1952)
Splender
Scrab
Scecma
Seguin
S.E.M.
Senette
S.F.L.
S.H.L.
S.I.A.
Serrusept
Seuma
Seyhers-Lacroix
Sicam
Siccardi
Sicvam
Side-Bike
Silver Prince
S.I.M.
Simon Preux
Sivrac
S.J.C.
Skandia
SOS
Souper
Spag
Sphinxia
Sport (mopeds), see F. Simon
Sportex
Stabilcar
Stag
Standard
Stavides
Stern
Stewit
St Germain
Stil
Stuart
Stud'ys Cycles
Stylett
Stoyer
Sug
Superegrine
Suberbie (Superbie?)
S.V.G.
Tebac (Possibly related to Flandria)
Tony Bouley 1920-1921. (poss. aka Tony) Sidecars manufacturer in Paris, built some cyclecars, various motorcycles and also some engines. ~ "L'Encyclopédie illustrée de l'automobile dans le monde" (David Burgess and Co)
Tourist
Tournoy
Tout Acier
Tragin
Train & Gloria
Trelex
Tremblade
Triomphe & Minerva
Triomphus, see Lédonien
Trogen
Tyl
Unic Sport
Utilcar
Utinam
Uz
Vampire à Le Cannet (ca.1953)

Vampire (Engines)
G.M.R. 8 Bd Gouvion St Cyr, Paris 17
From 1950 to 1954 they built 48cc 2-speed two-stroke engines.
Source: La Moto Francaise

Variomatic (Engines)
S.C.A.M.O., 14 Rue Robespierre, Bagnolet (Seine)
In 1955 they produced 49cc engines
Source: La Moto Francaise
N.B. This possibly relates to Société Colomb, Bagnolet

Velda de Marseille (ca.1957). ABG VAP
Vellar de Saint-Marcel
Vélostyle de Puteaux (en 1951 et 1952)
Vimya de Paris (ca.1952)
Valter
Vandel
Vavy
Veldor
Velocetta. Mentioned in Moto Revue, August 6th 1948. Built bicycles in 1939.
Velomoteur
Veloreacteu
Veloreve Cicca, 19, avenue de la Porte des Ternes, Paris. (hilfsmotor). Source: mo-ped.se
Velorobot
Velscoot'r
Velostable
Velotouriste see P.A.L.
Velovit
Veloxy
Vernisse
Verus
Verdier & Levy
Vetu-Clabaux
Vidal

Viel Cyclomoteur

Viel 1950s cyclomoteur, engine mounted beside rear wheel on left side. There was a Viel carburettor fitted to an early Paloma.
Vierge
Villard
Violet
Vite & Cie