Vue du Centre de Paris

Spectacular bird’s eye view of central Paris, issued by Grand Marnier.

Heavily influenced by seminal earlier views created by Michel-Étienne Turgot and Georges Peltier, this spectacular image captures the very essence of Parisian urban grandeur – stunning architecture, broad boulevards, towering cathedrals and important monuments – all overshadowed by the immensity of the Eiffel Tower. The bird’s eye view has been updated to the 20th century skyline by cartographer G. Peltier and was published in Paris by Blondel la Rougery in 1951.

Red and blue symbols scattered throughout the image (and explained in details by the two accompanying legends) identify the locations of popular restaurants, hotels, theaters, cabarets, and numerous other locations of recreation in the city. Issued as a promotional item celebrating the 2000th anniversary of Paris by Grand Marnier, whose advertisements feature prominently in the attached paper covers (which also include an index of the locations listed within the map).

According to a forward written by a local official, the map is “a splendid work of art indeed, created in a spirit of complete objectiveness with a background of technical information of a standard commensurate with only the high-world-wide reputation of the famous Brand.” An interesting combination of national pride, precision cartography, and 20th century capitalism.