Les Vignobles De France -- Vins De Bordeaux, crafted by the illustrious French artist Remy Hetreau in 1954, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Bordeaux's wine-producing regions. This exquisite map, one of a series of 11, was commissioned by the Comité National de Propagande en Faveur du Vin, a French government agency dedicated to promoting the nation's wine industry. Hetreau's work not only highlights the geographical intricacies of Bordeaux but also serves as a vibrant promotional tool for both wine and tourism. The map is adorned with clusters of grapes, using red for red wines and yellow for white wines, making it a visually striking and informative piece.
Remy Hetreau, renowned for his etchings, engravings, and illustrations, brings his artistic prowess to this map, creating a visual feast that is both informative and aesthetically pleasing. Known for his designs for Haviland Limoges china and murals at prestigious locations like the Maison de l'Amerique Latine in Paris, Hetreau's diverse artistic background is evident in the map's intricate details and elegant composition. His ability to blend art with cartography results in a map that is not only a navigational tool but also a work of art that celebrates the rich heritage of Bordeaux's wine regions.
The map's design is a harmonious blend of thematic and pictorial elements, featuring a compass rose, a sailing vessel, a chateau, and a decorative border with grapevine motifs. These artistic elements frame the map, drawing the viewer's eye to the central depiction of Bordeaux's wine-producing areas. The use of vibrant colors to differentiate between red and white wine regions adds a layer of clarity and visual appeal, making it easy to understand the geographical distribution of Bordeaux's renowned vineyards. The inclusion of a sun illustration and an illustrated figure playing a musical instrument further enhances the map's charm and character.
This map is a testament to the historical and cultural significance of Bordeaux's wine regions. It highlights major wine-producing areas such as Médoc, Entre-Deux-Mers, Saint-Émilion, and Pomerol, each marked with clusters of grapes. The rivers Dordogne and Garonne are prominently featured, emphasizing their importance in the region's viticulture. The map also labels specific wine-producing communes like Margaux, Pauillac, and Sauternes, providing a detailed and comprehensive overview of Bordeaux's wine landscape. These elements not only serve as a guide for wine enthusiasts but also as a historical record of Bordeaux's rich winemaking tradition.
Les Vignobles De France -- Vins De Bordeaux is more than just a map; it is a celebration of Bordeaux's winemaking heritage and a reflection of France's cultural pride. It serves as a reminder of the region's historical significance and its enduring legacy in the world of wine. Whether you are a wine connoisseur, a history enthusiast, or an art lover, this map offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Bordeaux's wine country, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
Cities and towns on this map
- Bordeaux
- Saint-Émilion
- Pomerol
- Pauillac
- Margaux
- Sauternes
- Blaye
- Libourne
- Langon
- Saint-Foy Bordeaux
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Compass rose
- Grapes on the vine (red for red wines, yellow for white wines)
- Sailing vessel
- Chateau
- Sun illustration
- Decorative border with grapevine motifs
- Wine cask
- Coat of arms
- Illustrated figure playing a musical instrument
- Rivers (e.g., Dordogne, Garonne)
- Wine regions (e.g., Médoc, Entre-Deux-Mers)
- Wine appellations (e.g., Saint-Émilion, Pomerol)
- Major wine-producing areas marked with clusters of grapes
- Artistic depiction of the Bordeaux region's topography
- Decorative ribbon with the title "Les Vignobles De France"
- Signage indicating "Vins De Bordeaux"
- Labels indicating specific wine-producing communes (e.g., Margaux, Pauillac)
Historical and design context
- This is a fine promotional map of the wine regions of Bordeaux.
- The map shows the major wine-producing regions with clusters of grapes, using red for red wines and yellow for white wines.
- The map is surrounded by a compass rose, grapes on the vine, a sailing vessel, and a chateau.
- This map is one of a series of 11 maps titled Les Vignobles de France.
- The other maps in the series cover Région Est, Région Normandie, Champagne, Roussillon, Val de Loire, Alsace, Côte du Rhône, Bourgogne, Côte de Provence, and the French colony Algeria [Algérie].
- These posters were commissioned by the Comité National de Propagande en Faveur du Vin, a government agency that promoted the French wine industry.
- The posters advertised French wines as well as tourism to these areas.
- Remy Hétreau was a French artist, printmaker, illustrator, and designer.
- He was known for his etchings and engravings and illustrated numerous books.
- He created designs for Haviland Limoges china, painted murals (notably at the Maison de l'Amerique Latine in Paris and the Ecole Nationale des Douanes), and designed international exhibitions of French technology.
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.