While many medals have been issued by the government of France over the centuries, legal tender commemorative coinage only began in 1982, with the issue of ten-franc piece commemorating Léon Gambetta. Soon there were other issues, and by the 1990s, there was a profusion of silver coins commemorating many events.
Recent issues
1.50 euro - silver - Cinderella - 2002
1.50 euro - silver - Snow White - 2002
1.50 euro - silver - Alice in Wonderland - 2003
1.50 euro - silver - Hansel and Gretel - 2003
1.50 euro - silver - Aladdin - 2004
1.50 euro - silver - Peter Pan - 2004
1.50 euro - silver - 60th anniversary of D-Day - 2004
10 euro - gold - FIFA centennial - 2004
1.50 euro - silver - FIFA centennial - 2004
10 euro - gold - 150th anniversary of Bordeaux wines - 2005
1.50 euro - silver - 150th anniversary of Bordeaux Wines - 2005
1.50 euro - silver - 60th anniversary of World War II - 2005