carotte tabac, A SYMBOL OF FRENCH CULTURE
This street photography project takes a closer look at a humble yet iconic symbol of French life: the carotte tabac. Officially called the carotte rouge (red carrot), this emblem has marked Bureaux de Tabac—France's specialist tobacco shops—since 1906. Though the signs today are often elongated diamonds in a bright red hue, the "carrot" shape likely traces back to the 17th and 18th centuries when chewing tobacco was sold in rolls of compressed leaves that resembled a carrot. This distinctive symbol has evolved in colour and form over the years, yet it remains a constant presence across French streets.
Bayonne
La Rochelle
Cherbourg
Wimereux
Bayonne
Rouen
bureaux de tabac
Bureaux de Tabac are unique fixtures in French society, and their presence is carefully regulated. Each bureau is licensed by the state, and anyone wishing to open one must apply through the Customs Department. Yet, with rising tobacco prices and a decline in smoking, these institutions are slowly disappearing. In 1970, nearly 49000 bureaux dotted the streets of France; today, that number has dropped to around 23000. Recently, in a bid to preserve the tradition of the Bureaux de Tabac and their symbolic carrot signs, an agreement was created to allow buralistes (those who run these shops) to apply for grants and receive guidance on diversifying their businesses. It’s an effort to keep the flame of the Bureaux de Tabac alive, even as times change.
Lille
Biarritz
Calais
Royan
Le Havre
La Rochelle
visual love letter
“Travelling across cities and villages, I became increasingly captivated by the subtle differences in each ‘carotte tabac’. Some glow brightly, freshly installed or carefully maintained, while others have a faded charm, worn by years of rain, sun and seen by countless passersby. Every sign reflects the unique character of its neighbourhood and hints at the stories and histories carried within each Bureaux de Tabac. Ultimately, "Carotte Tabac" is a visual love letter to the small details that define a place, and to the understated yet enduring charm of the bureaux de tabac.“
Source: project inspired by The Connection