Introducing the exquisite "Les Vignobles De France -- Vins De Roussillon Midi Provence," a 1954 masterpiece by the renowned French artist and cartographer Remy Hetreau. This map, a part of an illustrious series commissioned by the Comité National de Propagande en Faveur du Vin, beautifully captures the essence of the wine regions of Roussillon and Provence. Hetreau, celebrated for his etchings, engravings, and illustrative prowess, brings his unique artistic touch to this map, making it not just a geographical representation but a piece of art that exudes the charm and elegance of mid-20th-century France.
The map is a visual delight, adorned with clusters of grapes that signify the major wine-producing regions, using red for red wines and yellow for white wines. It is surrounded by a rich tapestry of pictorial elements, including a compass rose, grapevines, a sailing vessel, and a chateau, all of which enhance its decorative appeal. The Mediterranean Sea, labeled as "MÉDITERRANÉE," forms a striking blue backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant colors of the land and the artistic embellishments.
Hetreau's map is not just a celebration of French viticulture but also a testament to the post-WWII efforts to revive and promote the French wine industry and tourism. Each region, from Languedoc to Côtes de Provence, is meticulously detailed, showcasing the rich diversity of France's wine heritage. The map highlights prominent wine regions such as Bellet, Rasteau, and Palette, inviting the viewer to explore the storied vineyards and the exquisite wines they produce.
The map also features an array of cities and towns, each steeped in history and culture. From the bustling port city of Marseille to the historic town of Avignon, and from the picturesque coastal city of Nice to the medieval fortress of Carcassonne, the map offers a journey through some of the most iconic and charming locales in France. These settlements, each with its unique character and significance, are beautifully integrated into the map's design, making it a perfect blend of geography and artistry.
In addition to its geographical and cultural richness, the map is a historical artifact that reflects the artistic and promotional trends of its time. Hetreau's illustrative style, combined with the map's promotional purpose, creates a unique piece that is both informative and visually captivating. Whether you are a connoisseur of fine wines, a lover of French culture, or a collector of historical maps, "Les Vignobles De France -- Vins De Roussillon Midi Provence" is a timeless treasure that will add elegance and sophistication to any collection.
Cities and towns on this map
- Marseille
- Nice
- Montpellier
- Nîmes
- Toulon
- Perpignan
- Béziers
- Narbonne
- Sète
- Avignon
- Carcassonne
- Arles
- Orange
- Cannes
- Antibes
- Aix-en-Provence
- Fréjus
- Draguignan
- Grasse
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Clusters of grapes indicating wine regions
- Compass rose
- Grapes on the vine illustrations
- Sailing vessel
- Chateau illustration
- Anchor symbol labeled with "SETE," "NARBONNE," and "PERPIGNAN"
- Decorative elements surrounding the map, including human figures and grapevines
- Mediterranean Sea labeled as "MÉDITERRANÉE"
- Regional labels such as "LANGUEDOC," "COTES DE PROVENCE," "MINERVOIS," "CORBIÈRES," and "ROUSSILLON"
- Prominent wine regions like "BELLET," "RASTEAU," and "PALETTE"
- Color-coded grapes: red for red wines and yellow for white wines
Historical and design context
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Name of the map: Les Vignobles De France -- Vins De Roussillon Midi Provence
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Creation year: 1954
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Mapmaker/Publisher: Remy Hetreau
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Context about the mapmaker: Remy Hétreau was a French artist, printmaker, illustrator, and designer known for his etchings and engravings. He illustrated numerous books, created designs for Haviland Limoges china, painted murals, and designed international exhibitions of French technology.
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Purpose of the map: Promotional map of the wine regions of Roussillon and Provence
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Commissioned by: Comité National de Propagande en Faveur du Vin, a government agency promoting the French wine industry and tourism.
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Themes shown on the map:
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Wine regions: Major wine-producing areas are indicated with clusters of grapes, using red for red wines and yellow for white wines.
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Tourism: Promotes tourism to the wine regions of France.
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Countries and regions shown on the map: France, specifically the regions of Roussillon and Provence.
- Design and style:
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Pictorial elements: Surrounded by a compass rose, grapes on the vine, a sailing vessel, and a chateau.
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Artistic style: Illustrative and decorative, typical of mid-20th-century promotional art.
- Historical significance:
- Part of a series of 11 maps titled "Les Vignobles de France," showcasing various wine regions in France and French Algeria.
- Represents post-WWII efforts to revive and promote the French wine industry and tourism.
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 every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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 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.