Antique map of Catalogne, Roussillon, Languedoc, Provence, 1731

The Nouvelle carte des côtes de Catalogne, Roussillon, Languedoc, Provence (1731) is a refined example of early eighteenth-century French cartography, presenting the Mediterranean coastline from northeastern Spain to southeastern France with both scientific precision and decorative elegance. Produced during a period of expanding geographic knowledge and state interest in maritime navigation, the map reflects the growing importance of coastal surveys for trade, defense, and administration.

Stretching from Catalonia through Roussillon and Languedoc to Provence, the map delineates a continuous shoreline along the Mediterranean Sea. Major ports and coastal towns are clearly marked, including Barcelona, Perpignan, Montpellier, and Marseille. These urban centers are connected by a network of roads, indicating both inland access and regional integration.

The coastline is rendered with careful attention to bays, capes, and natural harbors, essential information for navigation. Depth soundings, anchorage points, and maritime hazards may be included, underscoring the chart’s practical utility for sailors. Inland, the terrain is suggested through stylized hachures and relief shading, with rivers and mountain ranges providing geographic context.

As with many maps of the period, decorative elements enhance its visual appeal. An ornate cartouche likely contains the title and publication details, framed by allegorical figures or maritime motifs such as ships and sea creatures. These embellishments reflect the Baroque aesthetic while reinforcing the map’s thematic focus on seafaring and coastal identity.

The map also carries political significance. Following territorial changes after the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), regions like Roussillon became firmly integrated into France, and their inclusion here signals administrative consolidation and strategic awareness of the southern frontier.