Originally a bicycle manufacturer, the firm was founded by Edmond Gentil at Neuilly sur Seine in 1902. Alcyon produced a considerable variety of models from 98cc two-strokes to large capacity vertical and V twins, and produced a shaft-drive version during the 1930's.
They absorbed several other French manufacturers including Amor, Labor, Thomann and Olympique. Postwar they produced smaller capacity two and four stroke machines using engines from AMC, VAP and Zurcher. Some sources indicate they ceased production in 1957, others as late as 1968. Another French marque, Austral, is related.
