Rare Old Pictorial Map of Nord-Pas-de-Calais by Liozu, 1951: Lille, Dunkerque, Valenciennes, Douai, Cambrai

The "Provinces du Nord" map, crafted by the esteemed Jacques Liozu in 1951, is a masterful blend of artistry and cartography, capturing the essence of the Department of Nord in France. This map is a vivid tapestry of the region's rich cultural and historical heritage, meticulously illustrated with a decorative compass rose and pictorial relief. Liozu's work is renowned for its intricate details and thematic elements, making this map not just a navigational tool but a visual narrative of the Nord region's identity.

Jacques Liozu, a distinguished mapmaker, is celebrated for his ability to infuse his maps with both aesthetic beauty and historical depth. His work on the "Provinces du Nord" map is no exception, showcasing his talent for creating maps that are as informative as they are visually captivating. Liozu's maps often feature detailed illustrations of landmarks, traditional attire, and historical events, providing a comprehensive view of the regions he depicted. This map is a testament to his dedication to preserving and celebrating regional heritage through cartography.

The design of the "Provinces du Nord" map is a harmonious blend of artistic and thematic elements. The decorative compass rose, oriented with the north to the upper left margin, adds a touch of elegance, while the pictorial relief brings the landscape to life. The map is adorned with illustrations of traditional crafts, maritime activities, and agricultural scenes, reflecting the diverse cultural and economic aspects of the Nord region. The artistic representations of historical landmarks, such as cathedrals and castles, further enhance the map's visual appeal and historical significance.

This map provides a fascinating glimpse into the cities and towns of the Nord region, including Lille, Dunkerque, Valenciennes, and Douai. Each settlement is depicted with meticulous detail, highlighting their unique architectural styles and historical importance. The map also features notable landmarks and natural features, such as rivers, waterways, and the region's coastal heritage. The inclusion of local festivals, culinary traditions, and folklore adds depth to the map, offering a comprehensive view of the region's cultural landscape.

Historically, the "Provinces du Nord" map is significant as it captures the mid-20th-century essence of the Nord region, a time of cultural richness and historical reflection. The map serves as a visual document of the region's heritage, showcasing its connection to neighboring areas and its role in historical events. The artistic elements, such as the ornate title cartouche and decorative border designs, reflect the map's historical context and the cartographic styles of the time. This map is not only a valuable historical artifact but also a beautiful piece of art that celebrates the Nord region's legacy.

Cities and towns on this map

• Lille
• Dunkerque
• Valenciennes
• Douai
• Cambrai
• Hazebrouck
• Maubeuge
• Avesnes
• Bergues
• Bailleul
• Cassel
• Gravelines
• Saint-Amand
• Le Quesnoy
• Orchies
• Tourcoing
• Roubaix
• Armentières
• Saint-Omer
• Béthune

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Decorative compass rose oriented with the north to the upper left margin.
• Illustrations of traditional attire worn by people in the Nord region.
• Pictorial representations of historical landmarks such as cathedrals and castles.
• Illustrations of maritime activities, reflecting the region's coastal heritage.
• Depictions of agricultural activities, highlighting the rural aspects of the region.
• Artistic representation of the Battle of Dunkirk.
• Illustrations of traditional crafts and trades.
• Pictorial relief showing the landscape features of the region.
• Decorative border elements with floral and scroll designs.
• Representation of the region's industrial heritage, including factories and mines.
• Illustrations of local fauna and flora.
• Artistic depiction of historical events and figures significant to the Nord region.
• Visual representation of the region's transportation network, including roads and railways.
• Illustrations of local festivals and cultural events.
• Artistic portrayal of the region's culinary heritage, including traditional dishes.
• Depictions of local folklore and legends.
• Illustrations of regional architectural styles.
• Representation of the region's rivers and waterways.
• Artistic elements reflecting the region's connection to neighboring areas.
• Decorative title cartouche with ornate lettering and illustrations.

Historical and design context

• Color pictorial map of the Department of Nord, France.
• Part of the current Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
• Relief is shown pictorially.
• Creation date: 1951
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Jacques Liozu
• Jacques Liozu was known for creating detailed and artistic maps that often included pictorial elements and thematic details.
• The map is thematic and pictorial, focusing on the cultural and historical aspects of the Nord region.
• It highlights various landmarks, historical events, and cultural icons.
• The map is designed in a pictorial and thematic style, rich in illustrations and decorative elements.
• It features artistic representations of landmarks, people in traditional attire, and historical scenes.
• The map provides a visual representation of the cultural and historical richness of the Nord region in the mid-20th century.
• It serves as a historical document that reflects the artistic and cartographic styles of the time.

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 every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) 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 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.