The Tarot of Marseille

The origins of the Tarot de Marseille

Born in Italy

Contrary to popular belief, the Tarot de Marseille was not invented in Marseilles. In fact, it’s a French adaptation of Italian decks. Its roots go back to the Italian Renaissance, probably in Milan or Florence, around 1430. The earliest known decks, such as the Visconti – Sforza Tarot, were richly illustrated and aimed at the elite.
However, it was in Marseilles that this graphic style spread. The term “Tarot de Marseille” appeared in the 19th century, taken up by occultists who saw the deck as a profound initiatory tool.

Arrival in France and influence from Marseille

It wasn’t until the 17th century that Tarot arrived in Marseille, via the cartiers (card printers). The city became a major production center. It’s this tradition of craftsmanship, firmly rooted in the city, that gives its name to the game as we know it today.

Marseille, cradle of traditional Tarot

A city of cartiers

Although Tarot originated in Italy, it was Marseille that gave it a second wind and a unique visual identity. From the 17th century onwards, the city distinguished itself as a major producer of playing cards. This craft boomed thanks to the presence of numerous master card makers in the Panier district. By the end of the 17th century, there were nine of them, each employing dozens of workers. Marseille became the world’s leading center for tarot deck manufacture. Today, a street bears witness to their past presence: La Traverse des Cartiers.
These craftsmen didn’t just reproduce existing models: they also created, illustrated and printed cards using very specific techniques, notably wood engraving and hand-coloring. It was this local tradition that shaped the distinctive iconography of the Tarot de Marseille, recognizable by its bright colors, expressive figures and refined symbolism.

A tradition revived by Paul Marteau

The modern history of the Tarot à Marseille would not be complete without mentioning Paul Marteau, director of the Maison Grimaud, founded in 1858. In 1930, he reissued an old Marseille-style tarot based on the models of 18th-century master card makers. This version became the reference for the classic Tarot de Marseille, still in use today.
His book “Le Tarot de Marseille” (1949) played a major role in the spread of the deck as an esoteric object. He emphasizes the importance of the symbolism of colors, gestures and numbers, placing the Tarot at the heart ofa spiritual quest.

The major historical figures of the Tarot of Marseille

Jean Noblet, precursor of the Tarot of Marseille
Among the first artisans to print a “Marseilles” tarot, Jean Noblet, a Parisian master cartier active around 1650, plays a founding role. Although he worked in Paris, it is his tarot that is considered one of the oldest surviving models in the so-called “Marseille” style. His deck, rich in symbolic detail, greatly influenced later versions distributed by Marseilles cartiers.

Paul Marteau, the renaissance man
Director of Maison Grimaud, Paul Marteau was a key figure in the 20th century. In 1930, he reissued a deck inspired by the Tarot de Conver (1760), codifying the iconography and colors of the Tarot de Marseille as we know it today. His work gives the Tarot an esoteric legitimacy, emphasizing the importance of symbols and numerological structure.

Alejandro Jodorowsky and the quest for authenticity
A Franco-Chilean artist, filmmaker and writer, Jodorowsky breathed new spiritual life into the Tarot de Marseille in the 1990s. In collaboration with Philippe Camoin, descendant of a family of Marseilles cartiers, he restored a tarot deck faithful to the original spirit of the old games. This work of reconstitution, the fruit of many years of research, has become a mainstay for modern tarologists.

Florent Giraud, master tarot card maker for the 21st century
Today, Florent Giraud, based in Aix-en-Provence, perpetuates the artisanal heritage of the Tarot de Marseille. He makes and restores antique decks by hand, using period techniques. Thanks to his know-how, he offers a tangible version of the Tarot as it was conceived in the 17th century, combining history, aesthetics and profound symbolism.