Rare Old Map of Île-de-France by Visscher, 1690: Paris, Versailles, Créteil, Compiègne, Vexin Français Park

Introducing 'Le Govvernement De L'Isle De France', a breathtaking cartographic masterpiece crafted by the renowned mapmaker, Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. Translated into English, the title means 'The Government of the Isle of France', indicating the political divisions and regions portrayed on this map. The focus of this work is the Île-de-France, a significant region in modern-day France. This map, steeped in history, provides a glimpse into the past, offering a unique perspective on the geography and politics of the time.

The map showcases several prominent cities, each with its own historical significance. Paris, the vibrant capital of France, stands out as a major hub of culture, art, and history. Versailles, renowned for its opulent palace and beautiful gardens, symbolizes the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. Créteil, a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, and Compiègne, a city known for its historic monuments, are also depicted.

In addition to cities, the map also highlights various landmarks and geographical features. One such feature is the Vexin Français Regional Nature Park, a protected area of woodland, farmland, and historic towns. This map is more than just a geographical representation; it is a work of art. The hand-colored outlines, engraved details, and decorative cartouches add to its aesthetic appeal. It also features the coats of arms, a symbol of pride and identity, further enriching its historical value.

The map's intricate detailing extends to the depiction of administrative boundaries, fortifications, forests, waterways, canals, and mountains. The relief is shown pictorially, offering a three-dimensional perspective. This map serves as a testament to the cartographic skills of the Dutch Golden Age, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship of Nicolaes Visscher II. The grandeur of 'Le Govvernement De L'Isle De France' makes it a perfect addition to any collection, a true treasure for history and map enthusiasts alike.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Île-de-France

• Paris: Known as the "City of Light", Paris is the capital of France and was already a thriving city in 1690. It was known as Lutetia during the Roman era.
• Versailles: A city in the Île-de-France region, it is famous for the Palace of Versailles, a symbol of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
• Créteil: A commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, it was known as Cristoilum in the Merovingian era.
• Compiègne: A city in northern France, it is known for its historic monuments and was a royal residence in the past.
• Saint-Denis: An important cultural and commercial center, it houses the royal necropolis of the Basilica of Saint-Denis.
• Melun: Known as Metiosedum during the Roman era, it was a strategic crossroads in Gaul.
• Meaux: Known for its Brie de Meaux cheese and the Siege of Meaux during the Hundred Years' War.
• Chelles: Known for the Chelles Abbey, an important center of Merovingian culture in the 7th century.
• Pontoise: Known as Briva Isarae during the Roman era, it was an important medieval fort.
• Argenteuil: Known for its old windmill and the medieval abbey.
• Montreuil: Known for its ramparts, constructed in the 13th century.
• Nanterre: Known for its cathedral, built in the 4th century.
• Vincennes: Known for the Château de Vincennes, a massive 14th-century royal fortress.
• Neuilly-sur-Seine: Known for its wealthy residential character.
• Aulnay-sous-Bois: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Pierre.
• Rueil-Malmaison: Known for the Château de Malmaison, residence of Napoleon Bonaparte.
• Courbevoie: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul.
• Champigny-sur-Marne: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Saturnin.
• Colombes: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul.
• Vitry-sur-Seine: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Germain.
• Levallois-Perret: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Justin.
• Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine: Known for its flea market, one of the largest antique markets in the world.
• Asnières-sur-Seine: Known for its medieval church of Sainte-Geneviève.
• Rambouillet: Known for the Château de Rambouillet, a summer residence for the Presidents of the French Republic.
• Fontainebleau: Known for the Palace of Fontainebleau, one of the largest royal châteaux in France.
• Provins: Known for its medieval fortifications, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Brie-Comte-Robert: Known for its medieval castle.
• Étampes: Known for its flamboyant Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Fort.
• Meulan-en-Yvelines: Known for its medieval bridge over the Seine.
• Mantes-la-Jolie: Known for its medieval church of Saint-Maclou.

Notable Natural Features

• Seine River: The second-longest river in France, flowing through Paris.
• Marne River: A major waterway of northeastern France, it merges with the Seine in Paris.
• Oise River: A tributary of the Seine, it flows through several departments in northern France.
• Vexin Français Regional Nature Park: A protected area of woodland, farmland, and historic towns.
• Forest of Fontainebleau: A former royal hunting park, it is now a popular tourist destination.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)

• The construction of the Palace of Versailles began in 1661 under the reign of Louis XIV.
• The Fronde, a series of civil wars in France, occurred from 1648 to 1653.
• The Treaty of Rueil was signed in Rueil-Malmaison in 1649, ending the first phase of the Fronde.

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.