Rare Old Map of Duchy of Poitou, France by Visscher, 1690: Nantes, Angers, Poitiers, La Rochelle, Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park

Step into the pages of history with the 'Pictaviae Ducatus Descriptio, Vulgo Le Pais De Poictou' map, an exquisite work of art by Nicolaes Visscher II. This map, created in 1690, intricately portrays the Duchy of Poitou, a historical region nestled within the modern boundaries of France. The full name of the map translates to 'Description of the Duchy of Poitou, Commonly Known as The Country of Poitou', providing a comprehensive view of the political and regional divisions of the era.

The map is a treasure trove of significant cities such as Nantes, Angers, Poitiers, and La Rochelle. Each city is meticulously detailed, showcasing the precision and skill of Visscher, a renowned mapmaker from the Dutch Golden Age. Furthermore, the map highlights the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park, a fascinating natural landmark that adds to the geographical diversity of the depicted region.

The map is hand-colored in outline and engraved, displaying an array of towns, fortifications, forests, waterways, canals, mountains, and landmarks. Decorative cartouches, coat of arms, compass rose, and rhumb lines enhance the map's visual appeal, weaving a captivating historical narrative. The relief of the map is pictorially represented, offering a three-dimensional perspective that breathes life into the terrain.

The map is not just a geographical representation but also a testament to the map-making techniques of the Dutch Golden Age. It captures the essence of the era, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship of the time. With this map, you're not just acquiring a piece of history, but a piece of art that embodies the artistry and precision of a bygone era.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Duchy of Poitou

• Nantes: Known as the 'Venice of the West', it was an important port and commercial center.
• Angers: Known as 'Andecavi' during Roman times, it was the capital of Anjou province.
• Poitiers: Known as 'Lemonum' in the Roman era, it was a significant Gallo-Roman center.
• La Rochelle: Known as 'Rupella' in the Middle Ages, it was a major seaport.
• Niort: Known as 'Novioritum' during Roman times, it was a key crossroads in the Poitou marshlands.
• Châtellerault: Known for its production of cutlery in the 17th century.
• Bressuire: Known for its castle, which played a significant role in the Wars of Religion.
• Thouars: Known for its historic château and as a key location in the War of the Vendée.
• Parthenay: Known as a 'Petite Carcassonne' due to its fortified walls.
• Saint-Maixent-l'École: Known for its abbey, which was an important stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
• Fontenay-le-Comte: Known as the 'city of art and history', it was the former capital of Lower Poitou.
• Saint-Jean-d'Angély: Known for its abbey, which was an important stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
• Rochefort: Known for its naval history and the construction of ships.
• Saintes: Known as 'Mediolanum Santonum' during Roman times, it was the capital of the Santones tribe.
• Cognac: Known for its production of the world-famous Cognac brandy.
• Jonzac: Known for its thermal baths and the Château of Jonzac.
• Royan: Known for its seaside location and Belle Époque architecture.
• Surgères: Known for its dairy production, particularly butter.
• Rochefort-sur-Mer: Known for its naval dockyards.
• Marans: Known for its location on the Sèvre Niortaise River and its maritime history.
• Luçon: Known for its cathedral and as the former seat of the Bishop of Luçon.
• Les Sables-d'Olonne: Known for its seaside location and the Vendée Globe yacht race.
• La Roche-sur-Yon: Known as 'Napoleonville' during the Napoleonic era, it was a major administrative center.
• Cholet: Known for its textile industry and the Battle of Cholet during the War in the Vendée.
• Saumur: Known for its historic château and the National Riding School.
• Chinon: Known for its historic château and the meeting of Joan of Arc with Charles VII.
• Loudun: Known for its historic tower and the infamous Loudun possessions.
• Chauvigny: Known for its historic château and five castles.
• Montmorillon: Known as the 'City of Writing and Book Professions'.
• Le Blanc: Known for its location within the Brenne Regional Natural Park.
• Argenton-sur-Creuse: Known for its picturesque location on the Creuse River.

Notable Natural Phenomena

• Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park: Known as the 'Green Venice', it's the second largest wetland in France.
• Loire River: The longest river in France, known for its picturesque landscapes and historic châteaux.
• Vienne River: Known for its historic bridges and scenic beauty.
• Charente River: Known for its calm waters and as a popular location for river tourism.
• Brenne Regional Natural Park: Known for its lakes and as a significant location for birdwatching.

Historical Events (1600-1690)

• Huguenot rebellions (1620-1628): A series of rebellions by the Huguenots in the region against the monarchy.
• Siege of La Rochelle (1627-1628): A major event in the French Wars of Religion, it resulted in a victory for Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu.
• War of the Vendée (1793): A counter-revolution in the region against the First French Republic.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm), 37x50in (94x127cm), 45x60in (114x152.5cm) and 52x70in (132x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps of Europe and European cities to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.