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 be the result of erroneous information and do not exist at all. (furphies)
For a more complete listing visit the French Index.

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A

A.C.V.
A.D.F.
Aéro-Scoot [1]
Agami
A.G.S. manufacture des cycles Agami, Raismes - Nord
Aigle 1906 Rue de Compiegne, Paris. Sarolea singles and twins.
A.J.F
Allain Et Niquet
Alliot – 41 bis, rue du Professuer-Pozzi, Bergerac (Dordogne). Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Alsace Sport [2]
Altière, see also Camille Foucaux
America [1]
Aniella [2]
Aniella-William - cyclomoteurs by Vélocipédiques Orléanaises which appeared at the 1950 Salon de Paris.[4]
Angouléme
Annino bicycle engine. Article in Moto Revue No. 936 04/02/1949
Arc en ciel [2]
Argental [2]
Arrow [2]
As De Trefle
Astra see Cyclorette
Astrale [2]
Attard
Aumon [2]
L'Automotion - Etablissement Louis Compain et Cie, 29 Rue Salneuve Paris. c.1920s-1930s. 1932 brochure listed L'Automotionette and Le Velomoteur Talbot, so it seems likely the were dealers rather than manufacturers.
Autoside, L'
AuxEnfants de la Chapelle [1]
Aviella
Axona
Aymard
Azda
Azurette des Frères Urago de Nices

B

Baby-Star [1]
Baillod
Ballandras, see VBF
Balouzat
Bancal
Barale
Barbulton
Barette
Baron de Poitiers (Associated with GFM)[2]
Barrio
Barthelemy
Bartlett
Bastet
Bastaert [1]
Baudelaire
Baudon
Bazin
Bbl Marco
BC [1] - BC engines powered Blauseur/Blauseurette.
Beaur
Beausseron [1]
Beck
Becognee
Bedin
Belgian Sidecars [1]
Belliard
BeM [1]
Benois Faure - mopeds powered by Myster built mid 1950s
Benoit Rosengart
Berget [2]
Berthe [1]
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
Bi-Temps [1]
B.J.
Blaise
Blanchard
Bluhm
Bob
Bobby. Ste A.R.C., 10 Rue Villaret de Joyeuse, Paris 17. 1953. Built 2-speed 49cc four-stroke engines. [1] (et al)
Bonhomm [1]
Bonnet & Zecht [1]
Bonney - M. Bonney, 133, rue de Rome, Paris. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Bottin
Bouchereau
Boudin & Michelet [1]
Boulevard
Boulez
Boune
Bourdiaux & Delalande [1]
Boury [1]
Boutineau
Boyer Albert [1]
Brennus [1]
Briand
Bridier-Charron
Britania des Ets Leroux de Nantes (c. 1957)
Broulet
Broune
Brunet [1]
Burbury [1]

C

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: François-Marie Dumas

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Camille Morel
Camus
Canu
Caps
Carka
Carnutes see Gagnon
Causan
CD C.D. [1]
Cécile [1]
Céél [1]
C.E.I.M.I.A.
Celeripede
Centaure ACDE [1]
Cem
Cerretti [1]
Cesbron
C.G.
C.G.C.
Chaintreau [1]
Champion - Ets Champion, 35 Rue Palestro, Romans. Built 50cc Baby Champion engines in 1951.
Chanard
Chansid
Chapeaux
Chaplait [1]
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.
CM 505 - Built by the Société des Cycles Drevon, 19, rue César Bertholon, Saint-Etienne, this moped is powered by a Vap engine. Presented at the 1950 Salon de Paris. [4]
C.M.S.
CNC, Comptoir National du Cycle, mopeds powered by Myster built in Paris mid 1950s
CNC (2). M. Fletcher, 112, boulevard de la Chapelle, Paris. Type Paris-Nice powered by Cucciolo, presented at the Salon de Paris, 1950. [4]
C.O.F.I.C.
Coispine
Colat
Colignon
Collin-Duresne
Columbia - Train engine unit with clutch, chain drive, spring forks, 26xl¾in, tyres. Paris Salon, 1922
COMEF [1]
Constr. Moderne de Cycles – 130 rue de Bagneux, Montrouge (Seine). Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Construction Parisienne du Cycle – 139 rue Lafayette, Paris. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Continental
Corbe
Corbel
Corbieres
Corky
Corona
Corpet Louvet (see also J.B. Louvet)
Coupet & Bertin [1]
Couret-Boudin
Courtot
Coustolle
Coutheillas
Couturier
Croissant
C.S.V. CSV
Cumin & Michelin
Curtiss
Cyclauto
Cycleaid
Cycle Albert
Cyclorette - The Cyclorette was a Terrot cyclomoteur built from 1953 to 1955. It was also sold under the "Astra" (1956) and "Palmer" marques. Source: terrot.dijon.free.fr
Cyclone bicycle attachment engine, 1920s
Cycloperso

D

Dambreville
Dangre
Dap
Dahl
Darioli
Darlot [1]
Darrio
Darris [1]
Dassault
Daudan
Debello, see Lédonien
Debon
Dedome
Déesse [1]
Defi
Degrouas
Delangle
Delaplace [1]
Delaune
Delda
Delefosse
Demaria-Lapierre
Denaux
Denier
Dephilipon
Desmoulins
Devaux
D.F.
D.G.D. [1]
Diamon [1]
Dixor, 1952-1954. S.A. Framca, 84 Grande Rue, Villemomble (Seine). Used VAP engines, possibly others. [2]
Dieudonne-Deodat
Dixor de Villemomble (ca.1953)[1]

D.M.S. (1) - D·M·S Société LA MAZARINE. 9, Rue Mazarine - Paris-6e.
Source: Moped SE

D.M.S. (2) - Moteurs D.M.S., 13, Avenue Jules-Ferry, Casablanca, MOROCCO. 50cc two-stroke bicycle attachment engine.
Source: cyclememory.org

Doncques
Dourte
Drierre
Drouhiole [1]
Druid
D.S. see DS Malterre
Dubois
Dubost 1901 St Etienne. There is a Dubost mentioned several times by Bourdache, and he is pictured aboard a DFR in 1923. That year DFR named a model for him, available with a 250 or 350cc Train engine. Source: Motos dans la Loire
Ducombs
Dufraigne
Dureau
Durif.F
Duris
Dyna

E

Echard; see also Lutetia [1]
Eclair
EH [1]
Eiram
Elec
Electa [1]
Electra [1]
Electricar
Electrocyclette
Electromecanique
Eler [1]
Elfe
Eliana
Elite, see F. Simon
Elmet
Elri
Emeriaux [1]
Emic
Endewell
Eolia
Epsorette
Eram
Ereir
Erlux [1]
Ernest-Richard [1]
Escal
Estampe - 22 rue des Laitieres, Vincennes (Seine). Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Espujols
Etoile Des As
Etincelle [1]
Eudeline D.
Eurac D.
Eurocycles
Europ - Usine à ste-radégonde (Indre-et-Loire). ABG VAP. Also listed as Europ-RSI de Sainte-Radegonde-en-Touraine (c.1958) by cyclovap.fr. See also Riva-Sport Industrie de Vichy. Source: Moped SE
Eve
Evicta
Evrard [1]
Excell
Excelsior - The company from Bourgoin-Jallieu originally manufactured bicycles and motorcycles. Automobiles also appeared in 1907. Source: de.wikipedia.org.
Fachard [1]
Fachleiner[2]

F

F.A.G. see Gagnon
Faret, Bordeaux. Belt drive, 1920s.
Fastex [1]
Faurne
Fauvarque [1]
Fédérale [1]
Fernand-Richard [1]
Ferniot
Feuillet G
Fidelia - A Vap-powered moped was built by Desoubry et You, 61, rue de la Plaine, Paris. It was presented at the Salon de Paris 1950. [4]
Finet
Fistollet
Flamand 85cc 1950s moped
Fleouter
Fletcher
Flex
Flexi
Florin
F.M.R. FMR - see also FMR Mokuli under the German marque Fend.
Foller
Fonlupt - "La Grande Marque Charolaise" of La Clayett. Sold Louison L.S.N. motorcycles, possibly rebadged, in 1926. Presented 5 models at the 1958 Paris Salon.
Sources: Didier Mahistre, Motos dans la Loire.
Fontaine M. – 63 blvd Voltaire, Rennes (I-et-V). Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
F.O.R. FOR [1]
Formand
Fortunay
Forward
Foucras et Rochas – 229 ave Jean-Rieux, Toulouse. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Fournales
Fournol
Framca
Frete
Fontlup à La Clayette (ca.1953) [2]
Fun Tech
Furtoss
F.V.L. FVL

G

Gallia Sport [1]
Gallus [1]
Galonni
Gardette
G.A.R (GAR)
Garnier [1]

G.C. GC
G.C.S.
Gecem
La Gellette de Dijon (ca.1957). ABG VAP. Source: buyvintage.com
Gem
Geminiani
Gendron
Genest
Genius
Genot & Caille [1]
Géo [1]
Georma
Gep
Gérard & Roche [1]
GFCM [1]
GFM pour Grossistes en Fournitures Général pour Motorisés de Caen (Ravat stock buyback, c.1958.). ABG VAP. Sources: buyvintage.com, cyclovap.fr
GG [1]

Gignoux
Manufactured C. Gignoux of Lyon, who built bicycles and motorcycles, and from 1907 automobiles.
No other reference to this marque has been found, Jan 2022.
Source: de.wikipedia.org

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Gille
Gimbretiere
Gines
Gioux
G.K. GK
Gloriol
Glotiot
G.M.B. GMB
G.M.R. GMR [1]
Goeland
Goer - Bicycle firm founded in 1893, they built mopeds in the 1950s. Source: Motos dans la Loire
Goubeaut
Gourdin
Goyon [1]
G.R. GR
Grandemange

Grandière, rue J. Rimbaud, Villeneuve-le-Roi, fitted with a Vimer engine in front of the crankset of a bicycle with a reinforced frame. The tank was housed between the seat tube and the rear mudguard, and a housing protects and cools the engine. [4]
Granger [1]
Grasset
Gresse
Griffault
Grillon
Grimbetiere
Grivon
Grolbois
Grossot [1]
Guedon
Guenon [1]
Guinabodet
Guitton - M. Guitton – 8 rue du Pont-d’-Ivry, Alfortville. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher. At the 1950 Salon de Paris a cyclomoteur was presented with a Vimer engine. [4]
Guphi
G.V. (GV) [1]

H

Hab
Hanriot [1]
H.B. des Ets Pierre Humblots de Paris (en 1950 et 1951) [2]
Hechard
HEN [2]
Hennequin
Henriet [1]
Henriod [1]
Henry & Cie [1]
Hercule [1]
Hergé [1]
Herminette
Herse [1]
Hess
Himel
Hirch & Davy
HSS-JAP
Hugonnier et Routeis – 91 rue Nicolas-Chorrier, Grenoble. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Humbert
Husson P
Huvel de Strasbourg [2]
Hv Matra

I

Idéales cycles
Idole
Isola - built by Rhonson.[2]
Itar & Roux

J

Jacques Anquetil
Jam
Janin Fed
Janneret
JB-Louet
JBB
JC2
Jeaniel
Jean Perrin
Jenatzy
Jepsy des Ets Moto-Accessoires de Nantes. Displayed a 125cc velomoteur at the 1958 Paris Salon.
Jesum Triporteur 1928, Levallois
Jeudi [2]
Jewel
J.M.J. JMJ
Jorand
Joulard
Joulou Marirel
Journaux [1]
Jouvene [1]
Judene de Paris (ca.1950)
Julou Merirel de Toulon [2]
Juppet de Valence
J.P.X. JPX
Jubocette
Jules
Jullard
Jurax

K

K.E.D. KED [1]
Keller
M. Kerouedan – Cite Commerciale, ave Clemenceau, Brest. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Kholer
K.Motor
Kratos [1]
Kyf

L

La Baralette
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 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.
Lacquit
Lafarge
Laforcade
Laforey
Lafrasse
Lagere
Laigle
Lala & Cie
Lalane
Lamandiere & Cie
Lambotte
Lamoureux
Lanoy - probably Henry Lanoy of Socvel, who also used the HL and Tractavant brands.
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
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
Louviot[2]
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

M

Macam
Machat
Magali d'Avignon (probably unrelated to Magali of 1903)
Manufacture Orléanaise de Cyclomoteurs (ca.1949)
Marguerite [2]
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.
Messina de Metz (ca.1959)
Minerva Tri-Scooter, c.1959
Moselle Sport [2]
Motarex de Saint-Etienne (ca.1958)
Motoscoter - Andre Jeunet, Dole, Jura
Magistral
Maglita
Maleyre
Manson
Marant-Anzani
Marcailloux [2]
Marchand & Godde
Margeot
Maudiquet
M.D. (MD)
Merop
Mery
Metais, Le Metais
Meyer
M.G.D. (MGD)
Microma. Listed under Engines
Milan. Société Centrale des construction Mécaniques de Paris 134 avenue de Malakoff, Paris (16°). Built 38cc bicycle engines. Source: cyclememory.org.
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 - Sometimes listed as a moped manufacturer, the name refers to a moped engine built by Le Poulain.

N

Naas
Namour
Naville
Nemausa
Nevejans
Niepce
Nivex, 1950, Mosquito engine.
Nobecourt
Nor 8

Norlux Type 147, Briban engine. Mentioned as appearing at a salon in 1952.
Nouvelet & Lacombe
Novaro

O

Ocean
Olympia Baby. Ets F. Durif, 16 & 18, Rue Montgallet, Paris. A moped powered by a 45cc engine was presented at the 1950 Salon de Paris. [4] Source: Moped SE
Omea & Batua
Oreal
Orette
Otokart
O.T.T. (OTT)
O. Papize. - A Diamant under another name. Paris Salon, 1922

P

Palmer see Cyclorette
Paquet
P. et M. P&M
Padova
Palmer
Panda (Italian?)
Panhette
Pap
Pansard-Cheveques
Pasquier G
Paquin
Parnet
Patre
Patrick
Payan 1950s, see Moto Payan
Pelegrine
Pelton
Pem
Pequignot-Perron
Peregrine
Perrin
Phenix
Philippe
Picca
Picard-Fayolle. St-Etienne firm presented a moped powered by a Le Poulain engine at the Paris Salon of 1950. [4]
Pichard
M. Pichon [La Randonnette] – 65 rue Aristide-Briand, Chateau-du-Loir (Sarthe). Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Pierme
Pierre
Pierreaux
Pif
Pigmy - bicycle attachment engines available for front or rear wheel. Source: Cyclememory.org
Pirol
Piron
P.L. PL
P.L.T. PLT
Planeta
Pluton
Poly-Fay
Polyn
Pomaredes
Pommier
Pope
Potier-Lecorsier
Potin F
Pouch
Pradeau
Prado
Pratic-Side
Precius
Précision Sidecars, 39bis Rue Martre, Clichy (Seine)
Precy's
Prefer-Lecomte - 3 rue Myrrha, Paris. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Prestar
Primador
Primo
Produc-Side
Pursan

Q

Quand Meme
Quenon
Querey
Quidet

R

R & P (RP)
R.L. (RL)
R.M. (RM)
Rabelle
Rabin
Rai
Rama[2]
Ramus
Randonette
Rapidmoto
Raydem[2]
R.D. (RD)
Renard (Estonia)
Rep
Rescor
Revest
Rey.L
Reynaud
Reyrol
Richard
Riner
Ringeval
Rirce
Risam
River
Rob
Robail
Robert - P.Robert, see Robust
Roca
Rocket 55 - mopeds powered by Myster marketed by a Valenciennes firm in 1955
Rogias de Rouen (a/c 1954)
Roll
Rolls
Rovas Celeritas de Dijon
Romu
Ronex
Ronzier
Roos
Rotosim
Roussel
Rouveyrol
Roveda
Roy
Royal Codrix - bicycle firm in Angoulême - Charente [2] [3]
Royal-Dauphine - bicycle firm [3]
Royal-France - bicycle firm in Paris [3]
Royal-Phlox
Rubis - bicycle firm in Paris [3]

S

Safer & Outremer
Sai
Saillet-Anzani
Saint-Georges
Sam
Samaritaine
Sanson
Saning
Sans Pareille
Sans Peur
Sarraca
Savarit
S.C. (SC)
S.C.A.
Scaf
Schneider - bicycle firm in Strasbourg [3]
Scintilla
S.C.O. (SCO)
Scootmule. Appeared at the 1962 Paris Salon fitted with a 50cc Mosquito 38B engine. Nothing further was heard of it.
Scootomoto see Breton
Scotex
Scotter-Car
Splender - St Etienne cycle builder.
Scrab
Scecma
Seguin
Selco [2]
S.E.M.
Senette
Serrusept
Seuma
Seyhers-Lacroix
S.F.L. - Bicycle firm in Lyon - Rhône [3]
S.H.L.
Sicvam see Mors (1950s)
S.I.M.
Simco [2]
Simon Preux
Sivrac
S.J.C.
Skandia
Souper
Spag
Sphinxia
Sport (mopeds), see F. Simon
Sportex - Bicycle firm. Original Garantie à Dijon [3]
Stabilcar
Stag - Possibly "The Stag", a bicycle firm. [3
Standard 1891, bicyclettes and tricycles, 20 rue de La Reynie, Paris. There was also a bicycle firm in St Etienne named Standard. [3
Stavides
Stern
Stewit
St Germain
Stil
Stuart - Bicycle firm, Paris. [3
Stud'ys Cycles
Stoyer
Sug
Superegrine
S.V.G.

T

Tebac (Possibly related to Flandria)
Tourisme [2]
Tournoy
Tout Acier
Tragin
Train & Gloria see Triumph Gloria
Trelex
Tremblade
Triomphe & Minerva
Triomphus, see Lédonien
Trogen
Tyl

U

Unic Sport[2]
Utilcar
Utinam
Uz

V

Valois [2]
Vedette of Le Cannet, near Cannes [2]
Velda de Marseille (ca.1957). ABG VAP
Veldor
Vellar de Saint-Marcel
Vélostyle of Puteaux, 1951-1952. Used ABG VAP engines.
Vandel
Vavy
Velocetta. Mentioned in Moto Revue, August 6th 1948. Built bicycles in 1939.
Veloreacteu
Velorobot
Velscoot'r
Velostable
Velotouriste see P.A.L.
Velovit. The firm presented a 41cc engine which drove the front tyre via roller at the Paris Salon of 1950. [4]
Veloxy
Vernisse
Verus
Verdier & Levy
Vetu-Clabaux
Vidal
Viel 1950s cyclomoteur, engine mounted beside rear wheel on left side. There was a Viel carburettor fitted to an early Paloma.
Vierge
Villemus – rte de Chambery, Albertville. Fitted Cucciolo engines under licence from Rocher.
Vimya - Etabl. Record, 65, rue Montmartre, Paris. Displayed a machine powered by Vimer at the 1950 Salon. [4]
Vite & Cie
Volbis
VSN
Vulcain
V.W.

W

Wallis
Wallut
Wardill
Wermor
William d’Orléans (ca.1951)
Worthy

XYZ

Yuel
Yvan Marie - probably built by Smagghe de Seclin [2]
Zerchot
Zeus
Zevaco

Zoller - built a single cylinder two-stroke engine with a pumping chamber making it appear as a twin. Moto Revue, Dec 1927.
"Les premiers essais faits Montlhéry ont donné les résultats les plus encourageants et l'on envisage la création d'une 500 cmc.." (The first tests made Montlhéry have given the most encouraging results and the creation of a 500 cmc.)

Notes

1. Dictionnaire illustré des 600 marques motocyclistes de Paris et de la Seine by Bernard Salvat. (There are some errors in the translations)

2. cyclovap.fr lists marques fitted with ABG/VAP engines.

3. CNRV Centre national de réception des véhicules

4. VELO Moteurs No 9 Octobre 1950 (Belgium)

French Resources