The Monnaie de Paris, also known as the Paris Mint or the French Mint, is a historical institution with a tradition of coin minting that stretches back for more than a millennium. Alongside its primary function of minting France's Euro coins, the Monnaie de Paris is also renowned for its thematic and commemorative coin collections that showcase the rich tapestry of French history, culture, and innovation.

One of these collections that has caught the eye of numismatists and enthusiasts alike is the "French Excellence" series. The "French Excellence" series celebrates notable French achievements and cultural icons, capturing the essence of French excellence across various fields. These include:

Gastronomy: 

France is globally renowned for its gastronomic excellence, with Paris often considered the culinary capital of the world. The Monnaie de Paris has produced two Guy Savoy coins. Both celebrating the culinary history of France. They also have the Guy Savoy restaurant, located on the grounds of the mint itself. The three Michelin stars restaurant was awarded the best restaurant in the world in 2022. French gastronomy has always been at the forefront of culinary innovation. France is the birthplace of 'haute cuisine,' a style of cooking that emphasises careful preparation and presentation. Techniques like sautéing, flambéing, poaching, and the creation of mother sauces - béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and sauce tomate - all have their roots in French kitchens.

Fashion and Luxury: 

Paris is the heart of the global fashion industry and home to legendary fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and the legendary Dior. The Monnaie de Paris partnered with Dior to produce a series of exquisitely designed coins that capture the simplicity and beauty of Christian Dior’s original vision for post-war fashion. 

Art and Culture: 

France has a rich artistic heritage, with French artists like Monet, Picasso, and Rodin shaping the course of art history. Commemorative coins could be dedicated to these artists or iconic French cultural institutions like the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay. France is dotted with historical landmarks and monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Palace of Versailles. The Monnaie de Paris has merged several historical and cultural landmarks on the reverse of its Masterpieces collection. It depicts several views of many major French museums. An interior view of the Musée d’Orsay, on the top left, is recognizable by its distinctive clock. Beside that is a view of the façade of the Louvre as seen from the Napoleon courtyard where the pyramid is located. Below these two elements, a fresco shows the Hôtel Salé, which houses the Picasso Museum. The lower portion of the reverse side features a view of the façade of Hôtel Biron, the current Rodin Museum, and above, the famous Centre Pompidou stairway.

It’s clear that the Monnaie de Paris has a vast array of inspirational themes to draw from to create a truly exceptional collection. For those seeking to enrich their numismatic collection or those simply intrigued by French culture and history, keep an eye out for the Monnaie de Paris' collections.