Rare Old Map of Champagne and Brie, France by Nicolaes Visscher II, 1690: Reims, Dijon, Metz, Nancy, Orient Forest Park

Immerse yourself in the intricate details of the 'Champaigne et Brie etc', a stunning representation of the historical and geographical beauty of Champagne and Brie, located in the larger modern-day area of France. Translated to 'Champagne and Brie etc', this map provides an enchanting glimpse into the past, crafted by the skilled hands of Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. Visscher II, the grandson of Claes Janszoon Visscher, hailed from the Dutch Golden Age, a period known for its remarkable contributions to the world of cartography.

Prominent cities like Reims, Dijon, Metz, and Nancy are meticulously etched onto the map, each holding their unique historical significance. Reims, known for its grand cathedral, the site of the coronation of French kings; Dijon, the capital of the historic Burgundy region; Metz, a city rich in architectural and cultural treasures; and Nancy, the artistic and intellectual capital of Lorraine, are all beautifully depicted.

The map also features the Parc naturel régional de la Forêt d'Orient, or the Orient Forest Regional Natural Park, a testament to the natural beauty that France has to offer. This hand-colored, engraved map does not merely show towns and cities, but it also vividly portrays forests, waterways, canals, mountains, and landmarks. The decorative cartouches add an artistic touch, further enhancing the map's visual appeal.

The 'Champaigne et Brie etc' is not just a map; it is a piece of history that tells stories of the past, of the people, and of the land. The relief shown pictorially provides a sense of depth, making it more than just a flat representation. It offers an opportunity to travel back in time, to explore the landscapes and the political divisions of a bygone era. This map is a must-have for those who appreciate the art of cartography and the rich tapestry of history it represents.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Champagne Region:

1. Reims - Known for its grand cathedral, the site of the coronation of French kings.
2. Troyes - An old town known for its half-timbered houses and Gothic churches.
3. Châlons-en-Champagne - Historically known as Châlons-sur-Marne, it's the capital of the Marne department.
4. Épernay - Known as the "Capital of Champagne" for its extensive champagne cellars.
5. Chaumont - Known for its annual International Poster and Graphic Design Festival.
6. Langres - Famous for its fortifications and towers, known as the fortified city.
7. Sedan - Known for its castle, the largest fortified medieval castle in Europe.
8. Rethel - An old fortified city known for its strategic location.
9. Vitry-le-François - Known for its rich history and its Church of Notre-Dame.
10. Bar-sur-Aube - Known for its timber-framed houses and the Saint-Pierre Church.
11. Joinville - Known for its Renaissance style château.
12. Saint-Dizier - Known for its fusion of medieval and Renaissance architecture.
13. Charleville-Mézières - Known for its grand Place Ducale, a large public square.
14. Nogent - Known for its rich history and the Saint-Martin Church.
15. Provins - A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its medieval fairs.

Brie Region:

1. Melun - Known as the "capital of Brie", famous for Brie de Melun cheese.
2. Meaux - Known for its Brie de Meaux cheese and the Saint-Etienne Cathedral.
3. Provins - Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture.
4. Château-Thierry - Known for its historical monuments and vineyards.
5. La Ferté-sous-Jouarre - Known for its millstones used in the construction of buildings.
6. Coulommiers - Known for its Coulommiers cheese, a type of Brie cheese.
7. Nangis - Known for its Château de Nangis.
8. Étampes - Known for its ten preserved medieval churches.
9. Dammartin-en-Goële - Known for its historical buildings and its strategic location.
10. Lagny-sur-Marne - Known for its Abbey of Saint-Pierre.
11. Fontainebleau - Known for its large and scenic forest and château.
12. Montereau-Fault-Yonne - Known for its confluence of Yonne and Seine rivers.
13. Nemours - Known for its castle and the Prehistory Museum of Ile-de-France.
14. Moret-sur-Loing - Known for its picturesque views and the Moret Gate.
15. Montargis - Known as the "Venise of the Gâtinais" due to its canals.

Notable Natural Phenomena:

1. Marne River - The longest river in France, known for its scenic beauty.
2. Seine River - One of the major waterways in France, flowing through Paris.
3. Aube River - Known for its beautiful landscapes and recreational fishing.
4. Orient Forest Regional Natural Park - A beautiful natural park known for its lakes and forests.
5. Plateau de Langres - The natural watershed boundary between the North Sea and the Mediterranean.

Historical Events (1600-1690):

1. The Coronation of Louis XIII - Louis XIII was crowned as the King of France in Reims Cathedral in 1610.
2. The Franco-Spanish War - The Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659) significantly impacted the region.
3. The Treaty of Nijmegen - The Treaty of Nijmegen in 1678 ended various interconnected wars among France, the Dutch Republic, Spain, Brandenburg, Sweden, Denmark, the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, and the Holy Roman Empire.

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 all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) 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 of Europe and European cities 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.