Gauloises Cigarettes

Gauloises is a historic cigarette brand that carries deep cultural associations with France, though its production and ownership have transitioned significantly over the decades. Originally launched in 1910 and manufactured by the French state monopoly SEITA, it became an iconic symbol of French identity and intellectualism.

In 1999, SEITA merged with the Spanish Tabacalera to form Altadis. Later, in 2008, Altadis was acquired by the British multinational Imperial Brands (formerly Imperial Tobacco). Following the acquisition, much of the production was shifted out of France to optimize manufacturing efficiency. Today, while the brand maintains its French heritage branding, the products sold in the European market are primarily manufactured in large-scale facilities in Poland and Germany. The brand is managed locally in Germany by Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH, a major subsidiary of Imperial Brands.