Antique Map of Maine-et-Loire with Illustrations – Vuillemin c.1850
A richly detailed 19th-century map of the Maine-et-Loire department in western France, engraved by A. Vuillemin and published around 1850. This beautifully hand-colored map comes from the iconic series “La France,” which presented each department with geographical, historical, and cultural highlights.
The map features hand-colored departmental borders, highlighted rivers, roadways, and an extensive array of cities, towns, and villages. The central city of Angers is prominently marked and serves as the administrative heart of the department.
The map is further adorned with charming vignettes illustrating important local landmarks and figures:
Top left: Portrait of Lapérouse, famed naval officer and explorer. Top right: View of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, with its abbey dominating the skyline. Left-center: Engraving of Le Petit Thouars, referencing the Château of the family. Lower right: Portrait of Henri Armand de La Rochejaquelein, royalist general during the French Revolution. Bottom left: Arms of the department.
This composition elegantly combines geographical information with artistic flourishes that celebrate the region’s historical personalities, castles, and religious sites.
50 Key Locations on the Map: Angers – administrative center Saumur – historic town, wine region Cholet – textile industry center Segré – market town Beaupréau – regional town Les Ponts-de-Cé – bridge and fortress Doué-la-Fontaine – rose and troglodyte heritage Chalonnes – on the Loire River Montreuil-Bellay – fortified castle town Baugé – known for medieval castle Candé – riverside commune Chemillé – agricultural hub Brissac – home of Brissac château Varennes – on the Loire La Pommeraye – small commune Vihiers – agricultural town Thouarcé – viticulture Bécon-les-Granits – granite industry Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay – wine village Saint-Georges-sur-Loire – historical priory Vernantes – northern commune Corné – close to Angers Neuillé – near Saumur Saint-Macaire-du-Bois – rural Fontaine-Guérin – scenic locale Longué – historic mills Noyant – forested area Mazé – flat farmlands Morannes – northwestern town Torfou – edge of the Mauges Vaudelnay – wine-producing Trélazé – slate mining La Bohalle – riverbank village Les Rosiers – near Gennes Béhuard – island on the Loire Chaudefonds-sur-Layon – wine region Villevêque – castle by the river Durtal – historic chateau Andard – east of Angers Soulaines – small village Sermaise – southeastern commune La Ménitré – Loire-side village Bouchemaine – river confluence Mûrs-Erigné – south of Angers Allonnes – vineyards Tigné – wine and Roman remains Chavagnes – in the Layon Rochefort-sur-Loire – scenic hills Gennes – prehistory and WWII Le Louroux-Béconnais – west of Angers Le Lion-d’Angers – horse breeding Saint-Clément-de-la-Place – inland commune
Condition report: Very good condition overall. Crisp plate impression with original outline color. Very light foxing in the outer margins. No visible tears or folding lines on the map itself. Plate mark is clearly visible.
Framing suggestion: A dark walnut frame with off-white matting would enhance the historical tones of this map. Ideal for display in study rooms or wine-related settings, considering the region’s vinicultural relevance.
Technique: Engraving with original hand-coloring Maker: A. Vuillemin, France c.1850
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