Aluette

The game of Aluette (or ‘La Vache’), dating back to the XVI century, is popular on the western coast of France, the Catalan region of Rousillon adjacent to Spain, also in Brittany and Bordeaux. It is played with a special pack based on the 48-card Spanish deck, which has evolved into a sort of hybrid deck with French stylistic influences. It is still used to this day.

In its modern form the 2 of cups has a recumbent cow and other idiosyncratic symbols, such as storks on several cards, small arrows on the club cards, or a kissing couple on the five of coins. The cavaliers are female and there is usually a naked child on the ace of swords and another on a swing in the two of clubs.

• See also: French Catalan pattern