Rare Old Wine Map of Roussillon and Provence by Hetreau, 1954: Marseille, Nice, Montpellier, Nîmes, Toulon

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

• Name of the map: Les Vignobles De France -- Vins De Roussillon Midi Provence
• Creation year: 1954
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Remy Hetreau
• 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.
• Purpose of the map: Promotional map of the wine regions of Roussillon and Provence
• Commissioned by: Comité National de Propagande en Faveur du Vin, a government agency promoting the French wine industry and tourism.
• Themes shown on the map:
• Wine regions: Major wine-producing areas are indicated with clusters of grapes, using red for red wines and yellow for white wines.
• Tourism: Promotes tourism to the wine regions of France.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: France, specifically the regions of Roussillon and Provence.
• Design and style:
• Pictorial elements: Surrounded by a compass rose, grapes on the vine, a sailing vessel, and a chateau.
• 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.

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.