Between January 18th and February 17th 2012, the Grand Palais in Paris is housing an exciting exhibition of raised-relief maps with impressive models of fortified towns that were made between the 17th and 19th centuries. These Chefs d’œuvre de la collection des plans-reliefs de Louis XIV à Napoléon III are accurate, detailed and historic jewels.
Impressive scale maps from the reign of Louis XIV to the end of 19th century at the Grand Palais Paris
Exhibition visitors learn about France and its eventful past through the 16 spectacular pieces from the Musée des Plans-reliefs collections.
The impressive models on display depict the evolution of the borders and the difficult art of war.
The 1/600 scale maps were used for military and prestigious reasons as they provide an educational and realistic view of the towns as they were. These include Brest, which has since been disfigured by World War II’s bombs, the Italian town of Exilles which was once French and Saint-Omer, which was once Italian.
Not only do these incredible reproductions teach us about military strategies at the time, they present urban planning, the environment and stun us with their precise and numerous details.
La France en relief (1668-1870)
- January 18th – February 17th 2012
- Nef du Grand Palais
- Main entrance: Avenue Winston-Churchill – 75008 Paris
- Access : Metro lines 1, 9 and 13 – Champs-Élysées Clemenceau ou Franklin-Roosevelt stations
- Open: Daily except Tuesday, from 10am to 20pm
- Further information: here
Hotel Britannique Paris, Romantic Paris Hotel, 3 star Hotel Paris
