Rare Old Map of France, 1967: Andorra, Massif Central, Lyon, Corsica, Detailed Political and Physical

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of French history and geography with this captivating map titled 'France', a work of cartographic excellence from the Polish Army Topography Service. Published in 1967, this map is a testament to the artistry and precision of mid-20th-century cartography. It presents a detailed political and physical layout of France, a country renowned for its diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and historical significance. The map offers an intriguing perspective on France's geopolitical landscape during a transformative period in world history, making it an interesting addition to any collection.

The map is marked by its meticulous detail, capturing the essence of France's physical and political geography. The country's undulating terrain, from the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux to the rugged peaks of the Alps, is beautifully represented. The map also provides an in-depth view of France's political boundaries, offering insights into the nation's administrative divisions and their historical evolution. The inclusion of three detailed maps - Andorra, Massif Central, and Lyon - further enriches the map's content, offering a more nuanced understanding of these regions.

The map's creators, the Polish Army Topography Service, were known for their dedication to accuracy and detail. Their expertise is evident in the intricate design and comprehensive content of the map. The service's work reflects Poland's rich tradition of cartography, which dates back to the 16th century. This map, in particular, is a testament to their commitment to creating informative and aesthetically pleasing maps that serve both practical and educational purposes.

In addition to its detailed representation of mainland France, the map also includes an inset of Corsica (Corse), an island region with a distinct cultural identity. This inclusion adds another layer of depth to the map, highlighting France's diverse regional identities. The map, with its comprehensive coverage and meticulous detail, offers a fascinating exploration of France's geographical and political landscape. It serves as a reminder of the country's rich history and diverse culture, making it a valuable piece for any map enthusiast or history buff.

This meticulously detailed map of France, created by the Polish Army Topography Service in 1967, provides a wealth of information on a variety of subjects. Here are some key features covered by the map:

Major Cities: - Paris, the vibrant capital city known for its art, fashion, and culture. - Lyon, a city famed for its historical and architectural landmarks. - Marseille, a port city with a rich history dating back to ancient Greece. - Bordeaux, the world's major wine industry capital.

National Parks: - Vanoise National Park, the first national park in France. - Port-Cros National Park, known for its marine biodiversity. - Pyrénées National Park, a natural border between France and Spain.

Major Parks: - Jardin des Plantes in Paris, the main botanical garden in France. - Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon, one of the largest urban parks in France.

Historic Landmarks: - Eiffel Tower in Paris, an iconic symbol of France. - Palace of the Popes in Avignon, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. - Mont Saint-Michel, a small rocky island commune in Normandy.

Historical Events (up to 1947): - Liberation of Paris in 1944, marking the end of the German occupation during World War II. - Establishment of the Fourth Republic in 1946, following the collapse of the Vichy regime. - The start of the decolonization process with the independence of India from British rule in 1947, impacting French colonial policy.

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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.

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.