19th Century Map of Hérault, France – Montpellier, Béziers, Coastal Languedoc
€ 140
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Mapmaker / artist
Alexandre Vuillemin, France, mid-19th century
Technique
Engraving with original hand color
Sheet size
26.1 × 32.5 cm (10.3 × 12.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13331-33
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Condition report: Very good condition with original outline hand-coloring. Light age toning and faint spotting in the margins, typical of 19th-century paper. Strong impression and clean image.
About this sheet
Antique Map of Hérault, France by Vuillemin, 19th Century
This finely detailed antique map depicts the French département of Hérault, part of the Languedoc region in southern France, with the Mediterranean Sea forming its southeastern boundary. Published in the mid-19th century, the map originates from Alexandre Vuillemin’s richly illustrated atlas of the departments of France.
The map shows the département’s towns, villages, rivers, and road networks, with boundaries highlighted in original hand-coloring. To the left, an inset vignette presents a view of Cette (modern-day Sète), a bustling Mediterranean port. At the upper right, a portrait of the celebrated French dramatist Molière recalls his ties to the region. The départemental coat of arms appears above the map, adding decorative and heraldic interest.
Hérault is historically known for its viticulture, Mediterranean trade, and cultural heritage. Montpellier, the département’s capital, has long been a center of learning, while the coastal towns like Sète provided vital access to Mediterranean commerce.
Cartographer Alexandre Vuillemin (1812–1880) was a prominent 19th-century French geographer and publisher, celebrated for his clear yet decorative maps that combined geographic precision with artistic embellishments. His atlases of France remain highly regarded among collectors of regional cartography.
Condition report: Very good condition with original outline hand-coloring. Light age toning and faint spotting in the margins, typical of 19th-century paper. Strong impression and clean image.
Framing tips: Best displayed in a classic dark wood or ebonized frame with a cream or ivory mat. A thin colored liner in wine red or muted green would complement the hand-color accents.
