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Very rare map of ancient France, published in the middle of the 18th century but showing the kingdom as it stood during the reign of Clovis and the first kings of France.
The map uses Latin names for the various regions of France; for example, the Ile-de-France region is named "Lugdunensis." The map extends eastwards further than the present-day extent of France, including parts of the Low Countries, Germany, and Switzerland, which were ruled by the same early kings of France. In the upper right is a brief history of these kings and the history of French territorial acquisitions.
This map was published by Gilles Robert de Vaugondy in Paris, whose imprint reads Sr. G. Robert and notes that he is in the employ of the king.
Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) was the head of a leading family of geographers in eighteenth century France. Gilles got his start when he jointly inherited the shop of Pierre-Moullart Sanson, grandson of the famous geographer Nicholas Sanson. The inheritance included the business, its stock of plates, and a roller press. In 1760 Gilles became geographer to King Louis XV. His son, Didier Robert de Vaugondy (ca. 1723-1786), was also a geographer and the two worked together. They were known for their exactitude and depth of research. In 1757, they produced the Atlas Universel, considered an authority for many years.
![[France]. Das Gantz Franckreich so voz zeiten Gallia Narbonensis, Lugaunensis, Belgica und Celtica. . .](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/83119.jpg)
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