Rare Old Birdseye Map of Paris by Peltier & Chardon, 1974: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre, Montmartre, Seine
-
FREE delivery in 2 to 3 days
Free delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery, worldwide.
We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including the UK
![]()
. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.You will never pay import tax or customs duty.
Free delivery will gradually get slower towards Christmas, as postal services start to struggle with larger volumes of post. I recommend ordering sooner rather than later to make sure you get everything with time to spare. Check my Christmas delivery guide for more info.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1-2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
-
Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend £50 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
- Framing & personalisation available
-
60 day money back guarantee
60 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 60 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
Our usual returns window is 30 days, but to give you extra peace of mind during the Christmas period, we have an extended returns period of 60 days.
For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell personalised orders.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe.
- The model holds the 18x24in (45x60cm) map
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
The "Plan de Paris à Vol d'Oiseau," meticulously crafted by Blondel La Rougery and updated by André Chardon in 1974, offers a breathtaking bird's-eye view of Paris, capturing the city's intricate urban fabric and architectural splendor. Originally drafted by G. Peltier between 1920 and 1940, this map stands as a testament to Paris's evolution, chronicling its journey from a historical metropolis to a modern urban landscape. The detailed delineation of streets, squares, and the sinuous flow of the Seine River showcases the city's grandeur and complexity, making it an invaluable piece for enthusiasts of cartography and Parisian history alike.
This map is a visual chronicle of Paris's most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Each landmark is meticulously illustrated, reflecting the city's rich architectural heritage. The inclusion of cultural hubs like the Louvre Museum and the Panthéon further enhances the map's allure, offering a glimpse into the heart of Paris's historical and cultural epicenter. These landmarks not only define the city's skyline but also serve as enduring symbols of its artistic and historical significance.
Significant neighborhoods such as Montmartre, Le Marais, and the Latin Quarter are prominently featured, each with its unique charm and historical context. Montmartre, with its bohemian past and the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, contrasts beautifully with the aristocratic elegance of Le Marais and the intellectual vibrancy of the Latin Quarter. These neighborhoods, with their distinct identities, collectively weave the rich tapestry of Parisian life, offering a window into the city's diverse cultural and social landscape.
The map also highlights Paris's extensive green spaces, including the Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes, Jardin des Tuileries, and Jardin du Luxembourg. These parks provide a verdant counterpoint to the urban environment, reflecting the city's commitment to preserving natural beauty amidst urbanization. The careful representation of these parks underscores their importance as oases of tranquility and recreation within the bustling metropolis, enhancing the map's depiction of Paris as a city that harmoniously blends nature and architecture.
Blondel La Rougery's "Plan de Paris à Vol d'Oiseau" is not merely a navigational tool but a work of art that encapsulates the essence of Paris. The map's artistic style, combining precision with aesthetic appeal, offers a timeless portrayal of the city's streets, boulevards, and riverbanks. It stands as a bridge between past and present, capturing the pulse of a city that has long been a nexus of culture, history, and art. For collectors and admirers of Paris, this map is a treasure that transports the viewer through the avenues of time, offering an unparalleled journey through the city's storied landscape.
Streets and roads on this map
- Avenue des Champs-Élysées
- Avenue de l'Opéra
- Avenue Foch
- Boulevard de Sébastopol
- Boulevard Haussmann
- Boulevard Saint-Germain
- Boulevard Saint-Michel
- Boulevard Voltaire
- Place de la Bastille
- Place de la République
- Place de l'Étoile
- Place du Châtelet
- Quai de la Tournelle
- Quai des Grands Augustins
- Quai des Orfèvres
- Quai du Louvre
- Rue de la Paix
- Rue de Rivoli
- Rue de Vaugirard
- Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
- Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
- Rue Lafayette
- Rue Saint-Denis
- Rue Saint-Honoré
- Rue Saint-Jacques
- Rue Saint-Martin
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triomphe
- Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica
- Louvre Museum
- Place de la Concorde
- Panthéon
- Montmartre
- Le Marais
- Latin Quarter
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Bois de Boulogne
- Bois de Vincennes
- Jardin des Tuileries
- Jardin du Luxembourg
Historical and design context
- Name of the map: Plan de Paris à Vol d'Oiseau (Bird's-Eye View Map of Paris)
- Original Creation Period: Drafted by G. Peltier between 1920 and 1940
- Update: Updated in 1974 by André Chardon
- Publisher/Mapmaker: Blondel La Rougery
- Themes and Topics:
- Urban Landscape: Depicts the intricate web of Parisian streets and the flow of the Seine River.
- Architectural Grandeur: Reflects the city's architectural evolution and historical heritage.
- Modernist Visions: Illustrates the juxtaposition of Paris's historical heritage with modernist urban planning, notably the influence of Le Corbusier’s 1929 Plan Voisin.
- Preservation vs. Modernization: Highlights the challenge of preserving Paris's 19th-century cityscape amidst modern urbanization pressures.
- Design/Style:
- Bird's-Eye View: Provides a detailed, aerial perspective of Paris.
- Delineation: Careful delineation of streets, squares, and the Seine River.
- Artistic and Functional: Balances artistic representation with functional navigation.
- Historical Significance:
- Urban Development Chronology: Chronicles Paris's urban development from the early 20th century to the mid-1970s.
- Cultural and Architectural Reference: Serves as a visual chronicle of Paris's growth, capturing the blend of historical and modern elements.
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 is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that 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 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.
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.
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.
Or try searching for something!
