Gauloises Cigarettes high-quality tobacco
Gauloises are a French brand of cigarette, manufactured by Altadis. The name means "Gallic [cigarettes]", and the emblem is the helmet of a Gallic warrior.
The brand first appeared in 1910. In 1925 the packaging was redesigned to a distinctive blue packet with a helmet design which is still used today. Filtered Gauloises appeared in the 1950's. When the brand first appeared it was made from dark tobacco, but in 1984 the brand was extended to an American type blend of light tobacco, named Gauloises Blondes. A Gauloise lower tar version is also available, sold in a red packet.
Gauloise remain a popular brand of cigarattes worldwide, although sales have declined in recent years with the decline of cigarette smoking.
In September 2005, production in France ceased, and now the cigarettes are solely produced in Spain. The move followed from declining sales in France.
Gauloises Cigarettes were traditionally short, wide, unfiltered and made with dark tobaccos from Syria and Turkey These cigarettes gave off a strong and distinctive aroma. Some non-smokers claimed that the smell of this cigarettes is like the burning tar.
The Gauloises cigarettes brand name itself is interesting. In France, they say la langue gauloise, mythologising the way in which the "Gauls" resisted Roman hegemony. To name a brand as French is therefore to label it in a particularly iconic way, matching archetypes of heroism and patriotism.
The Gauloises cigarettes brand management was assigned to Altadis, with joint French and Spanish ownership, and this company continues manufacture and international distribution.