The Girondins de Bordeaux logo is one of the most recognizable crests in French football. Built around a navy blue shield and a white V (called the scapulaire), it carries the date 1881, the year the Girondins gymnastics and shooting society was founded. For most of its life, the badge has stayed true to a geometric, stripped-back look that sets it apart from clubs that lean on animals or floral symbols.
Few football emblems have gone through as many identity shifts in recent years. The club introduced a controversial rebrand in 2020, reversed it in 2021, lost its professional status in 2024 and, after being excluded from the national leagues in 2026, now plays in the regional sixth tier. But the crest itself? It keeps showing up. On scarves, on walls, on tattoos across southwestern France. That tells you something about what a logo can mean to a community when it’s done right.
The badge has gone through eight versions since the club turned professional in the 1930s, each one pushing and pulling between tradition and modernization. What’s stayed constant: the V-shaped chevron, the blue-and-white palette and a general preference for clean lines over decorative clutter.
What Is the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo?
The Girondins de Bordeaux logo is a navy blue shield with “Girondins de Bordeaux” in white serif capitals, “F” and “C” around a small interlaced emblem, the year 1881 and a white V-shaped scapulaire. The design dates from 2001 and was restored in July 2021 after the 2020 rebrand. No designer has been publicly credited.
| Symbol | White scapulaire (V-shaped chevron) on a navy shield |
| Designer/agency | Not publicly credited |
| Current version since | 2001 (used until 2020, restored July 23, 2021) |
| Colors (hex) | Navy approx. #001541 (sampled from the club’s logo file) and white #FFFFFF |
| Typeface | Custom condensed serif lettering; no published typeface |
| Previous major version | 2020–2021 “Bordeaux Girondins” shield with gold accents |
How Has the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Evolved Over Time?
The Girondins de Bordeaux crest has had eight versions since the 1930s. It moved from round badges to a shield, with the scapulaire chevron as the one design thread running through every version.
Original Girondins de Bordeaux Logo (1936-1955)
The first badge belongs to the period when the club turned professional. It was a white circular emblem outlined in gold.
Inside, a blue V outlined in gold carried a “Gb” monogram, for Girondins de Bordeaux, and a small gold interlaced emblem sat above it. “Girondins de Bordeaux” ran along the sides of the V in simple blue capitals.
- Years Active: 1936-1955
- Color Scheme: White, blue and gold
- Context: Bordeaux played its first professional match at Toulouse on August 23, 1937, in the second division.
- Cultural Significance: Set the template for what followed. The V and the geometric approach were there from the start.
The Anchor Logo (1970s)
The badge used in the 1970s was much more decorative. A light blue disc carried big gold “Girondins Bordeaux” lettering around the rim, with a white chevron at the bottom.
At the top sat a gold anchor wrapped around a “GB” monogram. The anchor had been on the shirt since the 1940 merger with the Association Sportive du Port, and it connected the club to Bordeaux’s port on the Garonne.
- Years Active: 1970s
- Color Scheme: Light blue, white and gold
- Key Changes from Previous: Anchor motif, lighter blue, more decorative lettering
Girondins de Bordeaux Logo (1980-1993)
The 1980 version went back to the 1936 structure, in navy and white with a thicker outline. A navy V with the “Gb” monogram filled a white circle, the interlaced emblem sat in a navy roundel at the top, and “Girondins de Bordeaux” ran along the V.
From 1990, blue “F” and “C” letters were added on each side of the chevron. This was the era of president Claude Bez and coach Aimé Jacquet, and around this time the crest also started appearing on the chest of the shirt.
Bordeaux won three French titles (1984, 1985, 1987) and two Coupes de France (1986, 1987) in this period. The badge is tied to a golden age on the pitch.
- Years Active: 1980-1990, then with “F C” from 1990 to 1993
- Color Scheme: Navy and white
- Key Changes from Previous: Returned to the 1936 structure, added “F C” in 1990
- Cultural Significance: The crest fans most associate with the 1980s run, with players like Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana.
Minimalist Girondins de Bordeaux Logo (1993-2001)
This one stripped things way back. A light gray “F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux” in bold condensed sans-serif capitals sat above a chevron, all inside a thin circular frame.
In 1993-1996 the chevron was wine red, matching the period when the club dropped navy and white and played in bordeaux-colored shirts. From 1996 it turned blue again, as the traditional colors returned.
The 1990s squad included Zinedine Zidane, Christophe Dugarry and Bixente Lizarazu. Bordeaux reached the 1996 UEFA Cup final against Bayern Munich and won the 1999 French title in this era.
- Years Active: 1993-1996 (red chevron), 1996-2001 (blue chevron)
- Color Scheme: Gray with wine red, then gray with blue
- Designer: Not publicly credited
- Key Changes from Previous: Dropped the monogram and the emblem, moved the name above the chevron
Shield-Era Girondins de Bordeaux Logo (2001-2020)
The circle was replaced by a shield: a navy crest with a white outline and white lettering. “Girondins” sits in large condensed serif capitals above a smaller “de Bordeaux.”
Below the name, the “F” and “C” flank the small interlaced emblem from the earlier crests, with “1881” underneath. The white chevron fills the bottom of the shield, echoing the scapulaire on the shirt.
Versions with gradient shading were also used, giving it a more three-dimensional look. This was the badge of the 2009 French title, the 2013 Coupe de France and the club’s Champions League campaigns.
- Years Active: 2001-2020
- Color Scheme: Navy and white
- Key Changes from Previous: Circle to shield, addition of “1881”, serif lettering for the name
- Cultural Significance: The longest-serving version, tied to the club’s last league title.
Controversial Girondins de Bordeaux Rebrand (2020-2021)
Under president Frédéric Longuépée, the club launched a new logo on June 30, 2020, alongside its move to Adidas as kit supplier. The “FC” and the emblem disappeared. “Bordeaux” now sat on top in large white condensed letters, with “Girondins” smaller underneath in gold.
The shield gained a gold rim and brighter blue tones. The scapulaire stayed, rendered in white and gray, along with “1881.”
Many fans disliked it. When Gérard Lopez took over the club in July 2021, the club announced on July 23 that it was bringing back the previous crest. Lopez put it this way: the club wasn’t returning to an old logo, it was returning to the logo of the Girondins de Bordeaux.
- Years Active: 2020-2021 (one season)
- Color Scheme: Blue, gold, gray and white
- Designer: Not publicly credited
- Key Changes from Previous: Removed “FC” and the emblem, put “Bordeaux” first, added gold
Restored Girondins de Bordeaux Logo (2021-Present)
The 2001 shield came back in July 2021. Same navy shield. Same white chevron. Same serif lettering, emblem and “1881.”
What changed around it was everything else. The club was relegated from Ligue 1 in 2022, was administratively demoted to National 2 in August 2024 and lost its professional status. In the summer of 2026 it was excluded from the national leagues, and after the British fund Park Bench bought it for a symbolic euro, it started the 2026-27 season in Régional 1 Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the sixth tier.
The badge endures, though. It is the one stable piece of identity for a club in the middle of a total rebuild.
- Years Active: 2021-present
- Color Scheme: Navy (approx. #001541) and white (#FFFFFF)
- Key Changes from Previous: Full return to the 2001 shield, all 2020 elements discarded
- Cultural Significance: A rare case of supporters winning the identity battle.
What Do the Design Elements of the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Mean?
The crest is built from a handful of elements: the shield, the club name, the date, a small emblem and the scapulaire. The club hasn’t published an official explanation of each one, but their origins are well documented.
These aren’t decorative choices. They connect the football club to its shirt, its history and its city.
What Are the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Colors?
Navy blue and white have been the club’s colors for about a century. They are said to come from Argus Sport, a club that merged with the Girondins around 1919. The team is often called “les Marine et Blanc” (the Navy and White), and “le club au scapulaire.”
The club hasn’t published official color codes. Sampled from the logo file on its website, the navy is approx. #001541, paired with white (#FFFFFF). No official Pantone, CMYK or RGB specification is public, so treat other values you find online as estimates.
White provides the contrast. It reads as clean and direct. The navy and white combination has been consistent across nearly every version of the badge, apart from the gray-and-red 1990s logo and the gold-trimmed 2020 rebrand.
It isn’t strictly a monochrome palette, but it comes close: one dark blue and white. The psychology behind these colors is simple. Navy feels stable and serious, and white keeps it open. The pairing works because it doesn’t try too hard.
What Font Is Used in the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo?
The current shield uses custom serif capitals: “Girondins” in tall, condensed letters, “de Bordeaux” smaller below, and serif “F”, “C” and “1881.” The club has never named a commercial typeface for it.
Earlier versions varied. The 1936 and 1980s badges used simple capitals running along the V. The 1993 redesign switched to a bold condensed font in gray, and the 2020 rebrand used a tall condensed sans-serif for “Bordeaux.”
The current typographic approach leans on heritage: serif letters feel established, which suits a club that puts 1881 on its badge.
What Are the Hidden Meanings in the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo?
The V-shaped chevron is the scapulaire, named after the scapular, a garment worn over the shoulders. A white scapulaire on a navy shirt has been the club’s traditional kit since at least 1938, and it is sometimes said to represent the Garonne valley.
The small interlaced emblem between the “F” and the “C” has been on Bordeaux badges since the 1930s. It is generally read as the interlaced crescents associated with Bordeaux, the “Port of the Moon”, though the club hasn’t published an official explanation.
The “1881” is a story in itself. It is the founding year of the Société de gymnastique et de tir des Girondins, a multisport society that did not play football. The football section came later, and the professional club dates from the 1930s. There’s a layered story in every element, even if some details are easy to miss.
How Does the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Compare to Competitor Logos?
French football crests tend to lean heavily on regional identity. Bordeaux’s shield-and-chevron approach is distinct from its main rivals and peers.
The Toulouse logo uses a violet color scheme, a completely different visual language. The Nantes crest is a yellow shield with a big green “N” and a Breton ermine, about as far from Bordeaux’s navy look as you can get.
Olympique de Marseille’s emblem is built around its “OM” monogram in light blue and white. Paris Saint-Germain’s logo combines the Eiffel Tower with a fleur-de-lis in a circular format.
What makes Bordeaux different: the crest relies almost entirely on geometric shapes and text. No mascot. No landmark as the main symbol. No floral or animal motif. That minimalist approach gives it a severity most French clubs don’t share. Even Olympique Lyonnais, with its clean geometry, includes a lion.
What Cultural Impact Has the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Had?
The Girondins badge carries a specific kind of cultural weight in southwestern France. It represents not just a football club but a regional identity tied to the Gironde and the city of Bordeaux.
When the 2020 rebrand dropped “FC” and flipped the name to “Bordeaux Girondins”, the backlash wasn’t just about aesthetics. Supporters felt their identity had been changed for commercial reasons, and the Ultramarines and other fan groups were already at odds with the club’s owners.
The 2021 reversion became a symbol of supporter influence. At a time when clubs like Juventus were simplifying their crests for global brand appeal, Bordeaux went the opposite direction.
Now, with the club rebuilding in Régional 1 and expected to play its home games at the Stade Atlantique, the badge takes on a different meaning. It’s the thread connecting the club’s present to the era of Giresse and Zidane, to six French titles and European nights. It’s what fans hold onto when everything else falls apart.
How Does the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Fit Into the Overall Brand Identity?
The badge is the anchor of a broader identity that includes kit design, stadium branding and digital presence. The scapulaire appears not just on the crest but as the signature element of the traditional home shirt, a white V on navy.
The navy and white color palette carries through to official communications, the club’s website and merchandise, the way a brand identity system should.
The crest’s simple shapes are part of why it works at multiple scales, from a tiny favicon to a stadium facade.
How Should the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo Be Used?
The following is general advice, not rules published by the club.
The Girondins de Bordeaux crest is the club’s property and protected as a trademark. Editorial use, such as news and commentary, is generally fine. Merchandise and other commercial uses need permission from the club.
If you use it, don’t stretch, recolor or add elements to the crest, and avoid backgrounds that reduce its legibility. Clubs that publish brand guidelines usually ask for exactly these basics. A file in vector formats stays sharp at any size.
FAQ on the Girondins de Bordeaux Logo
What does the Girondins de Bordeaux logo look like?
It’s a navy blue shield with “Girondins de Bordeaux” in white serif capitals, “F” and “C” around a small interlaced emblem, the year 1881 and a white V-shaped scapulaire at the bottom.
What does the scapulaire on the Bordeaux badge mean?
The scapulaire is the white V the club has worn on its navy shirts since at least 1938. The name comes from the scapular, a garment worn over the shoulders, and it is sometimes said to represent the Garonne valley.
When was the current Girondins de Bordeaux logo introduced?
The shield first appeared in 2001. A rebrand replaced it on June 30, 2020, but the club announced the return of the 2001 crest on July 23, 2021, under new owner Gérard Lopez.
What did the old Bordeaux logo look like?
Before 2001 the badges were round. The 1936 badge had a blue V with a “Gb” monogram, the 1970s badge had a gold anchor on light blue, and the 1993-2001 logo had gray “F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux” lettering over a red, then blue, chevron.
What are the Girondins de Bordeaux logo colors?
Navy blue and white. The club hasn’t published official codes; sampled from its logo file, the navy is approx. #001541. The 2020 rebrand briefly added gold.
What font is used in the Girondins de Bordeaux logo?
Custom condensed serif capitals for “Girondins de Bordeaux”, “F C” and “1881.” The club has never named a commercial font.
Why did Bordeaux change its logo in 2020?
The new logo came with president Frédéric Longuépée’s push to modernize the club’s image and its switch to Adidas. It put “Bordeaux” above “Girondins”, dropped “FC” and added gold.
Why did Bordeaux go back to the old logo in 2021?
The 2020 logo was unpopular with fans. Restoring the previous crest was one of Gérard Lopez’s first decisions, and he called it a return to “the logo of the Girondins de Bordeaux,” not to an old logo.
Why does the Bordeaux logo say 1881?
1881 is when the Girondins gymnastics and shooting society was founded. It didn’t play football; the football section came later and the professional club dates from the 1930s.
How many times has the Girondins de Bordeaux logo been redesigned?
There have been eight versions: 1936, the 1970s anchor badge, 1980, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2001 and 2020, with the 2001 shield restored in 2021.
What league are Girondins de Bordeaux in now?
After losing professional status in 2024 and being excluded from the national leagues in 2026, Bordeaux plays in Régional 1 Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the sixth tier, in 2026-27. The club still uses the 2001 shield.
Conclusion
The Girondins de Bordeaux logo has survived relegations, ownership changes, a failed rebrand and a full financial collapse. That says more about its design strength than any technical breakdown could.
The scapulaire, the navy shield, the 1881 date. These pieces hold together a visual hierarchy that connects the club to its title-winning years, UEFA Cup nights and the city itself.
Whether Bordeaux climbs back up the French football pyramid quickly or slowly from Régional 1, the crest remains. Fans made sure of that in 2021. And that might be the most important design decision the club ever made.
Sources
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux, official website and logo file – https://www.girondins.com/
- Wikipédia, Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux (history, Couleurs and Logo sections) – https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_Club_des_Girondins_de_Bordeaux
- Footy Headlines, Girondins Bordeaux Returns to Popular ‘Old’ Logo – First Decision of New Owner – https://www.footyheadlines.com/2021/07/girondins-bordeaux-returns-to-popular.html
- Flashscore (AFP), Les Girondins de Bordeaux évolueront bien en R1 (6e division) cette saison – https://www.flashscore.fr/actualites/les-girondins-de-bordeaux-evolueront-bien-en-r1-6e-division-cette-saison/jFOTkfiI/
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
- When Shared Hosting Is the Right Choice for Your Website - 11 November 2026
- The YouTube Logo History, Colors, Font, and Meaning - 10 November 2026
- Monthly Retainer Billing for Freelance Designers: How to Get Paid on Time, Every Month - 10 November 2026
Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008. Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients. His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8. He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
You Might Also Like
