A good tarot de Marseille deck has four things: all 78 cards, clear figures and names, a booklet to get you started, and cardstock that survives shuffling.
Our Tarot de Marseille — Vintage Edition has all four; you can see it right below, with its price.
Tarot de Marseille — Vintage Edition
From today's price
78 cards, a 36-page booklet with the Marseille meanings, a protective box, and the complete beginner course offered with every deck.
See the deck and setsWhat makes a tarot de Marseille
The Marseille tarot is a specific pattern, not just an old-looking deck. Tarot cards first appeared in northern Italy around 1430-1450; the design we call "of Marseille" settled in France in the 17th and 18th centuries, in the workshops of card makers such as Jean Dodal in Lyon (around 1701) and Nicolas Conver in Marseille (1760). These are the quick signs that tell you what you are holding:
- the major arcana carry Roman numerals, from I (Le Bateleur) to XXI (Le Monde), and Le Mat is unnumbered;
- VIII is La Justice and XI is La Force; the 1909 deck swaps these two cards;
- card XIII is traditionally untitled: it is the Arcane sans nom, the nameless arcanum;
- the numeral cards of the minor arcana (Ace to Ten) are geometric compositions of suit symbols (Bâtons, Coupes, Épées, Deniers), with no drawn scene; only the court cards (Valet, Cavalier, Reine, Roi) show figures;
- the card names are printed in French on the cards, as on our edition.
The 1909 tarot, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, works differently: every minor card shows a small scene. The two traditions complement each other, but they are not read the same way. For the history, the symbolism and how to read the cards, our guide to the tarot de Marseille goes much deeper.
How to choose your deck: 6 criteria
Before comparing models, check these points. They matter more than the box art.
- A complete 78-card deck: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana, in four suits. A 22-card deck does not allow the same spreads.
- Size: the standard tarot size, 7 × 12 cm, is comfortable to shuffle and handle; mini decks look charming but are tiring to shuffle.
- Cardstock and finish: good stock does not warp, and an anti-scratch film protects the surface. This decides how long the deck lasts, because you will shuffle it often.
- Legibility: clear colours, clean lines, numbers and names that are easy to read. On a Marseille deck, the Roman numerals and the suit symbols must stay unmistakable.
- The booklet: check what it covers. All 78 cards or just the majors? Upright meanings only, or reversed too? For a first deck it is a real advantage.
- Box, accessories and budget: a pouch, a reading cloth or a storage box protects the deck and makes practice more pleasant. Pick the set that fits how you will use it rather than the biggest one.
Our Tarot de Marseille — Vintage Edition, in detail
Here is exactly what you get with the Dark Forest tarot de Marseille deck:
- 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana;
- four suits: Bâtons (wands), Coupes (cups), Épées (swords) and Deniers (coins);
- numeral cards (Ace to Ten) as geometric compositions of suit symbols with no scene, as in the historical tradition, plus sixteen court cards (Valet, Cavalier, Reine, Roi);
- 7 × 12 cm, the standard tarot size;
- white tarot cardstock with an anti-scratch film;
- a printed 36-page booklet covering all 78 cards with their Marseille meanings, upright and reversed;
- a protective cardboard box.
The deck comes in seven versions, from today's price. Here is who each one suits:
- Deck only: for someone who already has a reading cloth, or simply wants the cards.
- Beginner set: a ready-made set, if you would rather not pick accessories one by one.
- Gift set: to give to someone curious about tarot.
- Deck + spread cloth: to lay out your readings on a dedicated surface that also protects the deck.
- Deck + velvet pouch: to store and carry the deck with care.
- Deck + wooden box: for those who want to keep their cards in a more lasting case.
- Reading set: for settling in to read, with a fuller set.
The exact contents of each set are listed on the Tarot de Marseille — Vintage Edition product page, where you pick the version from the options list.
Tarot de Marseille — Vintage Edition
From today's price
78 cards, a 36-page booklet with the Marseille meanings, a protective box, and the complete beginner course offered with every deck.
Choose my tarot de Marseille setStarting out with the tarot de Marseille: do you need another deck?
It is a fair question for a beginner. Both routes are good; they teach you to read in different ways.
In a Marseille deck the numeral cards (Ace to Ten) have no scene: the Three of Cups shows three cups. Only the court cards (Valet, Cavalier, Reine, Roi) are figures. You read through number, suit and the relationships between cards. The reading is more intuitive, more numerological, and leaves a lot of room for your own eye. With a 1909 deck every minor card is a scene, so you lean on the image, which many beginners find easier to grasp.
If you are just starting, we recommend a different deck: our French learning tarot deck with the meaning printed on every card prints the meaning on each card, on 1909 illustrations, and a complete course comes with the deck. The Marseille comes next, when the French tradition draws you.
One honest note on the course: the complete beginner course is offered with every deck, the Marseille included. It teaches the reading method and the 78 meanings in the 1909 tradition. The 22 major arcana read the same way in Marseille. For the numeral cards, the course is the bridge, and the booklet in the box gives the Marseille-specific meanings.
Where to buy a tarot de Marseille
You can find Marseille decks in online shops, in bookshops and in esoteric boutiques. Each has its strengths: in a shop you can feel the cardstock and ask for advice; online the choice is wider, especially for sets and gift boxes.
Wherever you buy, check these five things first:
- The edition is complete: 78 cards, not just the 22 major arcana.
- A booklet is included, with meanings for all 78 cards.
- Cardstock quality: thickness, finish, protective film.
- Real photos of the cards, not just a presentation image: look closely at the numeral cards and the figures.
- The returns policy, in case the deck is not what you expected.
Our vintage tarot de Marseille is available straight from the shop; the product page shows the deck in photos.
Frequently asked questions
Which tarot de Marseille should a beginner choose?
For a very first deck we recommend our French learning tarot deck with the meaning printed on every card, with the meaning printed on every card and a complete course included. If the Marseille still draws you: choose a complete 78-card deck with legible names and numerals and a booklet covering every card. Our vintage tarot de Marseille meets those criteria.
How many cards are in a tarot de Marseille?
A complete tarot de Marseille has 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana, in four suits (Bâtons, Coupes, Épées, Deniers). Each suit has ten numeral cards (Ace to Ten) and four court cards (Valet, Cavalier, Reine, Roi). Beware of 22-card decks, which only contain the majors.
Can you learn the tarot de Marseille on your own?
Yes, if you go step by step: learn the 22 major arcana first, then the numeral cards through number and suit and the court cards one by one, using a booklet and a guide. To learn from scratch, our French learning tarot deck is more direct: the meaning is printed on every card. Regular practice with simple spreads works better than trying to memorise everything at once.
What is the difference between the tarot de Marseille and the 1909 tarot?
In the Marseille the numeral cards are compositions of symbols with no scenes, and its majors carry Roman numerals, with VIII La Justice and XI La Force. The 1909 tarot, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, shows a scene on every card and swaps those two majors.
Is a booklet included?
Yes. The box contains a printed 36-page booklet covering all 78 cards with their Marseille meanings, upright and reversed. The complete beginner course is also offered with every deck, so you have a companion for your first spreads.
Can I give a tarot de Marseille as a gift?
Yes, it suits anyone drawn to tarot or symbolism. The Gift set is made for it. If the person is just starting, give them our French learning tarot deck instead, with the meaning printed on every card and a complete course included.
