Old Map of Ancient France (Gaul, Gallia) in Roman Times by Ortelius, 1624: Paris, Lyon, Pyrenees, Alps, Latin Names

Abraham Ortelius, the celebrated cartographer, created the magnificent "Galliae Veteris Typus" in 1624, a map that offers a captivating glimpse into ancient France during Roman times. Ortelius, renowned for his world atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, poured his passion for classical antiquity into this work, drawing upon the writings of esteemed scholars like Strabo, Virgil, Ovid, and Caesar. This map, part of his Parergon, the first historical atlas, is a testament to his dedication to preserving and illustrating the geographical knowledge of the ancient world.

The map meticulously details the regions of ancient France, stretching from the border with Spain (Hispaniae pars) in the southwest to Great Britain (Britanniae pars) in the northwest, and eastward to Germany (Germaniae Magnae pars) and Italy (Italiae Gallicae pars). The country is divided into four main provinces: Belgica, Celtica Lugdunensis, Narbonensis, and Aquitanica. Each province is rich with historical significance, showcasing the Roman Empire's influence and the intricate network of cities and towns that flourished under its rule.

Ortelius' attention to detail is evident in the accurate depiction of the coastline, rivers, and mountain ranges. The Pyrenees Mountains (Pyrenaei montes) and the Alps (Alpes) are prominently featured, providing a natural border that shaped the historical and cultural landscape of the region. The rivers, carefully rendered, snake through the map, adding a sense of realism and aiding in the orientation of the viewer. Forests and other natural features are also depicted, giving the land texture and depth.

The map is adorned with two beautiful cartouches, each a work of art in its own right. The title cartouche in the southwest corner is particularly ornate, indicating the subject of the map, Ancient France (Galliae Veteris), and featuring figural elements, flora, and fauna. In the northeast corner, a simpler cartouche dedicates the map to two noblemen, Lord Edward van der Delft and Carolus from Mechelen. These decorative elements, along with the miniature views of cities and the stippling in the water bodies, add to the map's aesthetic appeal and historical value.

Among the notable features on this map are the cities of Paris (Parisii), Lyon (Lugdunum), Marseille (Massilia), and Bordeaux (Burdigala), each represented with miniature views that hint at their significance in ancient times. The map also highlights important bodies of water like the Mediterranean Sea (Mediterranei Maris pars) and the English Channel (Oceanus Britannicus), along with decorative ships sailing the northern waters. This intricate map is not just a geographical representation but a historical narrative, making it a valuable addition to any collection of classical antiquity or European maps.

Cities and towns on this map

• France:
• Paris (Parisii)
• Lyon (Lugdunum)
• Marseille (Massilia)
• Bordeaux (Burdigala)
• Lille (Lugdunum Batavorum)
• Toulouse (Tolosa)
• Nice (Nicaea)
• Strasbourg (Argentoratum)
• Nantes (Condivincum)
• Montpellier (Mons Pessulanus)
• Rennes (Condate Redonum)
• Reims (Durocortorum)
• Dijon (Divio)
• Tours (Caesarodunum)
• Orléans (Genabum)
• Limoges (Augustoritum)
• Clermont-Ferrand (Augustonemetum)
• Angers (Iuliomagus)
• Amiens (Samarobriva)
• Besançon (Vesontio)
• Poitiers (Lemonum)
• Metz (Divodurum)
• Caen (Cadomum)
• Brest (Gesocribate)
• Nancy (Nanceium)
• Nîmes (Nemausus)
• Avignon (Avenio)
• Perpignan (Ruscino)
• Troyes (Augustobona)
• Rouen (Rotomagus)
• Grenoble (Cularo)
• Chartres (Autricum)
• Le Mans (Vindinum)
• Chalon-sur-Saône (Cabillonum)
• Bayonne (Lapurdum)
• Saint-Étienne (Segusiavorum)
• Valence (Valentia)
• Vannes (Darioritum)
• La Rochelle (Rupella)
• Laval (Diablintes)
• Albi (Albiga)
• Mont-de-Marsan (Mons Marcenus)
• Mâcon (Matisco)
• Tarbes (Tarba)
• Périgueux (Vesuna)
• Carcassonne (Carcaso)
• Agen (Aginnum)
• Auch (Elimberrum)
• Beauvais (Caesaromagus)
• Pau (Palladium)
• Nevers (Noviodunum)
• Tulle (Tudolium)
• Angoulême (Iculisma)
• Gap (Vapincum)
• Rodez (Segodunum)
• Aurillac (Orilliacum)
• Foix (Fuxum)
• Dax (Aquae Tarbellicae)
• Mende (Mimate)
• Brive-la-Gaillarde (Briva Curretia)
• Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum)
• Cahors (Divona Cadurcorum)
• Toul (Tullum Leucorum)
• Montauban (Cosa)
• Alençon (Alancium)
• Millau (Condatis)
• Castres (Castra)
• Figeac (Figiacum)
• Châteauroux (Castelroussium)
• Saint-Nazaire (Herbadilla)
• Évreux (Mediolanum Aulercorum)
• Bourges (Avaricum)
• Sarlat-la-Canéda (Sarlatum)
• Vienne (Vienna)
• Autun (Augustodunum)
• Arles (Arelate)
• Narbonne (Narbo Martius)
• Orange (Arausio)
• Tournus (Turnodurum)
• Béziers (Baeterrae)
• Fréjus (Forum Iulii)
• Sisteron (Segustero)
• Digne-les-Bains (Dinia)
• Grasse (Gratia)
• Manosque (Manosca)
• Martigues (Maritima)
• Salon-de-Provence (Salona)
• Cavaillon (Cabellio)
• Apt (Apta Iulia)
• Vaison-la-Romaine (Vasio)
• Carpentras (Carpentoracte)
• Sault (Saltus)
• Valréas (Valerias)
• Bagnols-sur-Cèze (Balneolum)
• Pont-Saint-Esprit (Pons Ararici)
• Bollène (Bollena)
• Nyons (Nemausus)
• Dieulefit (Deusfides)
• Montélimar (Acunum)
• Crest (Crista)
• Romans-sur-Isère (Romana)
• Tain-l'Hermitage (Tainum)
• Tournon-sur-Rhône (Turno)
• La Voulte-sur-Rhône (Volta)
• Le Teil (Tegula)
• Privas (Privata)
• Aubenas (Albenata)
• Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Vallus)
• Ruoms (Rupes)
• Les Vans (Vanum)
• Joyeuse (Jocunditas)
• Largentière (Argentaria)
• Le Cheylard (Chellardum)
• Lamastre (Lamastium)
• Annonay (Annonacum)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of water:
• Oceanus Britannicus (English Channel)
• Mediterranei Maris pars (Mediterranean Sea)
• Borders:
• Borders between France, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, and Italy
• Mountains:
• Pyrenaei montes (Pyrenees Mountains)
• Alpes (Alps)
• Illustrations:
• Decorative ships in the northern waters
• Cartouches:
• Ornate title cartouche in the southwest corner
• Dedication cartouche in the northeast corner

Historical and design context

• Creation date: 1624
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Abraham Ortelius
• Context about the mapmaker: Ortelius was a renowned cartographer known for creating the first modern atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. He had a deep interest in classical antiquity, which led to the creation of the Parergon, the first historical atlas.
• Themes and topics shown on the map:
• Ancient France: The map depicts France during Roman times, based on classical sources like Strabo, Virgil, Ovid, and Caesar.
• Geographical details: The map includes detailed representations of rivers, mountain ranges, and forests.
• Historical context: The map is part of Ortelius' Parergon, which was a project of personal interest to him and is considered his greatest achievement.
• Countries and regions shown on the map:
• France
• Spain (Hispaniae pars)
• Great Britain (Britanniae pars)
• Germany (Germaniae Magnae pars)
• Italy (Italiae Gallicae pars)
• Design and style:
• Orientation: Northward
• Cartouches: Two ornate cartouches, one in the southwest corner indicating the subject of the map and another in the northeast corner dedicating the map to noblemen.
• Illustrations: Miniature views of cities, decorative ships, and stippling for water bodies.
• Historical significance:
• Parergon: This map is part of the Parergon, the first historical atlas, which was highly successful and translated into multiple languages.
• Classical sources: The map is based on the geographical writings of classical scholars like Strabo, Pliny, and Ptolemy.

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 90in (230cm). 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.

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.

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 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.