France – offices in the Levant

under construction
About 1840, the first French post office in the region was opened in Constantinople, using French stamps. More offices were eventually opened throughout the Ottoman Empire. Usages are recognizable by CDS or numbered killer/obliterator. See: France – offices in the Levant, cancels.
 * In 1885, three values of the French type Sage/Peace and Navigation issue were overprinted in piasters for use in the Levant.
 * More values similarly overprinted followed in 1886, 1890-91, and 1900.
 * In 1902-03, types Blanc/Mouchon/Merson were issued, inscribed LEVANT.
 * In 1905, a provisional surcharge for Beirut was released, inscribed 1 Piastre / Beyrouth.
 * In 1921, French Sowers stamps were overprinted in paras and piasters. Two additional values were issued in 1922.
 * In 1923, 3 provisional handstamped surcharges were issued.
 * In July 1923, the Ottoman Empire closed all foreign post offices.

 File:Fr levant 1pi on 25c.jpg|1886 1 piaster File:French levant 2pi.jpg|1890 2pi on 75c value. File:FR levant 40c merson.jpg|1902 40c Merson. File:Fr Levant Mouchon 15c.jpg|1903 15c Mouchon. File:Fr Levant Beyrouth surch.jpg|1905 Beirut provisional surcharge. File:Fr off Turkey 1pi20.jpg|1920 1pi 20 pa value. File:Fr Levant 7pi handstamp.jpg|1923 7pi20pa on 35c handstamp surcharge. 

In 1941, around the French mandate of Greater Syria, Free French forces re-took the Greater Syria mandated region from the Vichy government.  File:Fr Levant 2f50 surch.jpg|1942 2.50fr on 2½pi value. File:French Levant FAFL air.jpg|1942 10fr on 100pi airmail. File:Fr Levant camels 2.jpg|1942 1fr Palmyra definitive. File:Fr Levant wing surch.jpg|1942 6.50fr wings airmail. 
 * In 1942, stamps of Syria or Lebanon were surcharged with FORCES FRANCAISES LIBRE / LEVANT.
 * Syrian airmails were surcharged LIGNES / AERIENNES / F.A.F.L. and new values.
 * Definitives were issued also in 1942 with a view of camel cavalry outside Palmyra, inscribed FORCES FRANCAISES LIBRE / LEVANT.
 * Two airmail stamps and a souvenir sheet were issued showing multiple wing emblems, inscribed LIGNES AERIENNES DE LA FRANCE LIBRE.
 * In 1943, surcharges followed with RESISTANCE.
 * Also in 1943, a 4fr on 3fr definitive showing a bomber was issued for airmail service.

[[Category:F]]