Up to 1976, the frame number and serial number on Peugeot bicycles were the same thing, the same number. Cycles Peugeot introduce a new system to help manage and identify all of the individual bicycles they produced.

In 1976 cycles Peugeot made changes to way the serial numbers, frame numbers, and date codes where displayed on their bicycles. There was a separation of frame number and serial number. Each of these became a separate and distinct item found on Peugeot bicycles.

Frame numbers where stamped into the frame on the bottom bracket or the non-drive side dropout,
or the frame number was stamped into a metal strip and riveted to the bottom bracket. (The riveted metal strips came to an end in 1978.) The frame numbers now began with date encoding for year and month of frame manufacture.

Serial numbers were printed on white labels that were taped to the bottom bracket. The serial number was seven digits in length. The white labels had other information typed onto them. Initially, the information included a serial number on the first line, then a model designation and frame size number on the second line. The serial number was different from the frame number which was stamped into the frame.

The white labels where taped with clear adhesive to the bottom bracket. I do not know if the white labels were put on to all of the Peugeot bicycles produced. Sadly, the adhesive tape did not last forever and most of the labels on the bottom bracket have not survived. Later, during the second half of 1982, many white labels where transitioned to the chain stay and these have lasted a little better.

The white labels were only on bicycles manufactured in France and not found on Peugeot brand bicycles in other parts of the world. I have not seen white labels on Peugeot bicycles made and sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa, or Taiwan. Some Cycles Peugeot bicycles sold in France had frames imported from outside of France and some of these bicycles had white labels. Some Peugeot bicycles from Groupe Procycle in Canada did have a barcode label on the top tube for a short time. The Groupe Procycle barcodes were different from the Cycles Peugeot barcode labels.

Over the years the format of the information on the white label changed.
The white label was replaced by a barcode label in 1989.