Cassini’s Map of France. An encyclopedia of the territory

In the 18th century, four generations of surveyors undertook a daring challenge: to map France with unprecedented mathematical rigor. This titanic effort gave rise to a monumental masterpiece consisting of 181 engraved sheets. Once assembled, this giant puzzle reaches eleven meters in width for twelve meters in height, transforming geography into a spectacular work of art. The Musée des Archives nationales highlights this technical feat within the sumptuous setting of the Hôtel de Soubise. Thanks to a historic donation from IGN, the route reveals the behind-the-scenes story of a human adventure that redefined our vision of the territory. It’s a unique opportunity to admire the meticulous details of this visual encyclopedia, a fascinating testament to an era where science and aesthetics merged to depict the face of the nation.