Map of Vaucluse, 1852

This original hand-colored map is from the "Atlas National Illustré," a work by Victor Levasseur, a French geographer and cartographer known for his richly illustrated maps. The map is a steel engraving, which was a common and precise method for creating maps at the time. The inclusion of the publisher's name, A. Combette from Paris, and the addresses of the various contributors to the map's creation, like the engravers Laguillermie and Rainaud, adds to the historical context of the piece. The margins of the map are adorned with detailed illustrations that serve as a visual encyclopedic reference to the region's geography, economy, and notable figures. The use of color along the boundaries makes the map not only a tool for navigation but also an educational resource, providing insights into the department's landscape, economy, and cultural significance. The text included in the map's design provides statistical information, a map legend, and discussions about the land, local curiosities, notable personalities, products, and commerce, which would have been invaluable for education and reference at the time. The 'Atlas National Illustré' is celebrated for its combination of cartographic detail and artistic embellishment, making it a valuable cultural artifact. It represents the height of decorative map-making in the 19th century, alongside the works of John Tallis and Archibald Fullarton. This particular map is an illustrated map of the 'Département de Vaucluse,' located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. The title 'Dépt. de Vaucluse' is displayed at the top of the map. The map itself is surrounded by elaborate margin illustrations that likely represent the local heritage, economy, and cultural symbols of Vaucluse. These typically include images of local produce, historical figures, landscapes, traditional clothing, and the coat of arms. Key places and features of the Vaucluse department that are historically significant and may be highlighted on the map include: 1. **Avignon**: Known for the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), where several popes and antipopes lived during the 14th century, and its well-preserved medieval city center. 2. **Orange**: Famous for its Roman theatre and the Triumphal Arch, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 3. **Mont Ventoux**: A prominent mountain in the region, known as the "Giant of Provence" and famed for its challenging stage in the Tour de France bicycle race. 4. **Fontaine-de-Vaucluse**: The source of the Sorgue river, a spring that is the largest in France and the fifth largest in the world. 5. **The Luberon**: A massif in central Vaucluse that is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, known for its picturesque villages like Gordes and Roussillon. 6. **Carpentras**: This town is known for its historical sites and as the former capital of the Comtat Venaissin. 7. **The Côtes du Rhône wine region**: Vaucluse is home to famous vineyards, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 8. **The Ochre of Roussillon**: The ochre sands and cliffs around the village of Roussillon are a notable tourist attraction. The map would have served both as a practical guide to the department and as an educational tool, showcasing the riches and points of interest of the Vaucluse area. The inclusion of local statistics and discussions about the land, curiosities, personages, products, and commerce in the text around the map would have provided 19th-century map readers with a comprehensive view of the region.