Jours de France

Jours de France is a French magazine brand established in 1958 by industrialist Marcel Dassault. It succeeded an earlier publication, Semaine de France, and was conceived in part as a competitor to Paris Match. From its beginning, the magazine occupied a hybrid position between general-interest journalism, illustrated society coverage, lifestyle publishing, and a platform for its proprietor's political and civic ideas. Dassault used the publication to communicate his views on public affairs and national development, including proposals such as organizing a World Fair in Paris. The magazine's business model was strongly dependent on advertising. This support helped it maintain a comparatively low retail price, while distribution was also extended through a distinctive promotional arrangement: copies were sent free of charge to French dentists and physicians so that they could be available to patients in waiting rooms. The strategy expanded exposure beyond conventional paid circulation and associated the title with an affluent professional and urban readership. Editorially, Jours de France covered fashion, health matters, Parisian social events, and other subjects characteristic of illustrated weekly and general-interest magazines of the period. Its visual identity was reinforced by contributions from well-known illustrators and cartoonists, including Jacques Faizant, Coq (Luis García Gallo), Kiraz, and Hervé, the pen name of Hervé des Vallières. Marcel Dassault also maintained a regular editorial presence, giving the magazine an unusually direct connection to its owner and his public outlook. The original publication ceased in 1989. In September 2013, the Figaro Group revived the Jours de France name as a quarterly magazine. The relaunch placed the brand within the contemporary publishing portfolio associated with Société du Figaro S.A. and extended the title's historical association with French public life, culture, and lifestyle into a less frequent periodical format. The available reference material does not establish detailed circulation figures, revenue, current editorial leadership, or the precise operating status of the website, so those aspects remain unspecified.

Jours de France was founded in France in 1958 by industrialist Marcel Dassault. The title followed Semaine de France and was developed as a rival to Paris Match, placing it within the postwar expansion of illustrated general-interest magazines. Although it carried conventional magazine subjects, it also reflected the interests and convictions of its owner. Dassault used the publication to present political ideas and broader visions for France, including advocacy of a World Fair in Paris, a project that was never realized. The magazine's distribution and commercial model helped distinguish it from a conventional paid-circulation periodical. It relied substantially on advertising, which enabled a relatively low cover price. Copies were also distributed without charge to French dentists and physicians, allowing the magazine to circulate in medical waiting rooms and reach patients as an incidental audience. This approach gave the title a broad visibility among professional and urban readers while reinforcing its association with an established middle- and upper-middle-class readership. Its editorial mix combined current affairs and public commentary with fashion, health, and reports on social events in Paris. The title also depended heavily on visual presentation. Illustrators and cartoonists associated with the magazine included Jacques Faizant, Coq, the pen name of Luis García Gallo, Kiraz, and Hervé, the alias of Hervé des Vallières. Dassault wrote a regular editorial, making the publication's ownership and editorial voice especially visible. The original run ended in 1989, when Jours de France ceased publication. The brand remained recognizable enough to be revived more than two decades later. In September 2013, the Figaro Group relaunched it as a quarterly magazine, with Société du Figaro S.A. serving as publisher. The revival transferred the name from its original high-frequency postwar magazine context into a periodic publication connected with the Figaro publishing organization. Publicly available reference material confirms the founding, first closure, and 2013 relaunch, but does not provide sufficient information to document detailed circulation performance, later editorial changes, ownership arrangements beyond the named publisher, or the current commercial scale of the brand.

• 2013

  Quarterly relaunch

  [1]Jours de Franceen.wikipedia.org

  The Figaro Group revives Jours de France as a quarterly magazine in September, with Société du Figaro S.A. as publisher.

• 1989

  Original publication ceases

  [1]Jours de Franceen.wikipedia.org

  The original edition of Jours de France stops publishing after three decades of activity.

• 1958

  Jours de France is established

  [1]Jours de Franceen.wikipedia.org

  Marcel Dassault establishes Jours de France as the successor to Semaine de France and positions it partly as a competitor to Paris Match.

A French illustrated general-interest and lifestyle magazine with coverage spanning public affairs, fashion, health, Parisian society, and cultural life.

• General-interest magazine · 1958

  Jours de France

  The core Jours de France publication was a French illustrated magazine covering a broad range of subjects, including public affairs, fashion, health, and social events in Paris. Its identity was shaped by a mixture of editorial writing, owner commentary, photography, and cartoon or illustration work. The original publication was supported substantially by advertising and was also distributed free to medical professionals for waiting-room readership. The first run ended in 1989.

• Quarterly magazine · 2013

  Jours de France quarterly edition

  The Figaro Group relaunched the Jours de France name in September 2013 as a quarterly magazine. The revived edition continued the brand's connection with French public and cultural life while adapting it to a lower-frequency publishing schedule. Available reference material does not specify its circulation, issue count, editorial staff, or subsequent publication history in detail.

• 2013

  Revival as a quarterly magazineProduct launch

  Background

  After the original magazine ceased publication in 1989, the Jours de France name was revived by the Figaro Group.

  Action taken

  The group relaunched Jours de France in September 2013 as a quarterly publication, published by Société du Figaro S.A.

  Aftermath

  The relaunch returned the historic brand to the French magazine market, but the available material does not establish its later circulation or commercial performance.

  Source

• 1958

  Advertising-led and professional-distribution modelStrategy

  Background

  The magazine sought broad visibility while maintaining a relatively low price in a competitive illustrated-magazine market.

  Action taken

  Jours de France relied substantially on advertising and supplied free copies to French dentists and physicians for use in their waiting rooms.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement expanded the title's exposure beyond ordinary paid circulation, although the available sources do not provide circulation or financial results.

  Source

1. 1Jours de Franceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Jours de France official websitejoursdefrance.lefigaro.fr