To mark the 100th anniversary of Paul Bocuse (1926–2018), La Poste is honoring the great chef with a stamp to be issued in February 2026. The design features a calm, almost lifelike portrait: Bocuse looks at the viewer as if he were listening. Depicted with his chef’s hat and the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” medal, he appears both dignified and approachable. Across his shoulder runs the scale of a measuring cup into which his birth and death dates are integrated—an original detail in which the beginning of the scale is marked by the Greek letter “Φ.” This symbol indicates that the stamp is part of the official philatelic program, whose issues are determined by the state and celebrate notable figures as well as France’s cultural heritage.
The sheet of 15 stamps is also carefully designed: along its margins are characteristic elements from Bocuse’s world—his legendary truffle soup VGE (whose recipe was published in 2018 after his death), the trophy of the Bocuse d’Or, his signature, and additional symbols such as the French rooster. These details frame the stamps and add further narrative context.
The issue is printed using traditional recess printing (intaglio or taille-douce), one of the most sophisticated techniques in philately. Fine lines are engraved into metal, creating a highly tactile, richly detailed image that can often even be felt. The black-rendered portrait in particular reveals its full effect through this technique, reminiscent of classic engravings—a deliberate artistic choice.
In his “restaurant” P. Bocuse was born and also died (CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)
Honoring Bocuse in this way is especially fitting. From his restaurant L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges near Lyon, he shaped modern gastronomy like few others. As a leading figure of nouvelle cuisine, he combined tradition with innovation and elevated high-quality ingredients into an art form.
Thus, this stamp becomes more than just a collector’s item: it brings together French culinary excellence and the tradition of fine engraving—paying tribute to an original whose influence endures.
Maxicard – cancelled on the first day of issue
Stamp details – Paul Bocuse
- Country: France
- Issue date: 2026-02-09
- Colors: multicolour
- Designer: Louis Genty
- Printer: Philaposte (Phil@poste)
- Format: commemorative stamp
- Printing: intaglio (recess printing)
- Format: sheet of 15 stamps
- Face value: €1.52
- Print run: 46,800