Picardy Travel Poster: Pierrefonds, Compiègne et Coucy by Gustave Fraipont, 1899

Pierrefonds, Compiègne et Coucy by Gustave Fraipont (1899) is a quintessential Belle Époque travel poster that beckons viewers north from Paris to a romantic corridor of forests and fortresses. Designed for the Chemin de Fer du Nord, it blends Art Nouveau elegance with the promise of adventure: a circular vignette presents the storied Château de Pierrefonds, while a chivalric figure and flowing, decorative lettering celebrate France’s medieval heritage and modern ease of rail travel. Lush greens play against sunlit yellows and serene blues, with lively red accents, capturing the atmosphere of northern France’s castle-dotted landscape around Pierrefonds, Compiègne, and Coucy.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Fraipont’s poster, produced on your choice of acid-free archival paper or luxurious artist’s cotton canvas. The Unique Maps Co. provides a range of sizes to suit apartments and grand interiors alike, with optional framing and conservation-grade matting. Personalize your piece with custom captions, color-matched borders, or a dedication—ideal for commemorating a special journey or a meaningful connection to the region.

Gustave Fraipont—Belgian-born and later a naturalized French citizen—was a painter, sculptor, illustrator, and master poster-designer whose career spanned publishing, education, and the decorative arts. A professor of drawing at the Maison d’éducation de la Légion d’honneur, he authored books on draftsmanship and illustrated beloved literary works, from regional guides to classics like Letters from My Windmill and Perrault’s tales. He produced memorable railway posters for the Chemins de fer de l’Ouest and the Compagnie du Nord; his Pierrefonds designs were even featured in Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, the celebrated series that recognized the era’s most accomplished poster art. In 1905, he was appointed a painter to the French Navy, underscoring his stature in the national arts.

The subject of this poster resonates deeply with lovers of French history. Pierrefonds, extensively restored in the 19th century, embodies the Romantic revival of medieval architecture; Compiègne is famed for its imperial townscape and ancient forest; and Coucy—long a celebrated medieval stronghold—was a touchstone for travelers drawn to heroic ruins and grand châteaux. In the 1890s, railways transformed these sites into accessible cultural destinations, and posters like Fraipont’s captured the excitement of weekend excursions and the pride of a nation in its architectural treasures.

Visually, the design is classic Fraipont: organic, curving forms and floral motifs float around a crisp circular medallion, while the stylized, flowing typography adds drama and movement. The palette—dominated by green, brightened by yellow, cooled by blue, and sparked with notes of red—creates an inviting rhythm between landscape and legend. Detailed rendering in the castle and knight contrasts with softer, painterly passages in the background, giving depth and a storybook quality. This is a striking statement piece for hallways, studies, and living rooms—especially when paired with walnut, black, or gilded frames—and a timeless way to honor memories of Picardy’s forests and fortresses.

A thoughtful and evocative gift, this fine art print is perfect for anyone who has strolled the Forêt de Compiègne, toured the halls of Pierrefonds, or admired the silhouettes of Coucy. Ideal for Christmas, birthdays, Father’s or Mother’s Day, housewarmings, anniversaries, or a homecoming after travels in northern France, it brings the golden age of rail and the romance of French heritage to any wall.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. 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.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

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

Alcune delle mie mappe antiche sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le mappe antiche su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe tradizionalmente incorniciate. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

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.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.