The house flag of the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, Paris, Marseilles. A rectangular flag in white with red corners. The black letters 'M. M' are in the centre. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope is attached. This version of the house flag with one stop between the letters was in use from 1871 to approximately 1970.

The company was founded as a state owned postal service between Paris and Levant. In 1851 it became the Messageries Nationales based at Marseilles. With a change of government the name was changed again to Messageries Imperiales and the head office moved back to Paris. Known as Messageries Maritimes, from 1871, the company built up its services to the French colonies in the Far East and owned many famous passenger liners. In 1976, the firm amalgamated with the Compagnie General Transatlantique to form the Compagnie Generale Maritime.