Antique Bordeaux wine maps, Cotes de Blaye, Blayais, 1949

Les Vins de Bordeaux – Côtes de Blaye, Blayais is part of the renowned Atlas de La France Vinicole, an influential cartographic series produced by Louis Larmat that documented the major wine regions of France with remarkable detail and visual elegance. Published in 1949, this map focuses specifically on the wine-producing areas of Côtes de Blaye and the historic Blayais district, located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary north of Bordeaux. The map carefully illustrates vineyard boundaries, villages, waterways, roads, and geographic features that define the region’s viticultural identity. The Gironde estuary occupies a central role in the composition, emphasizing the maritime climate that contributes to the character of Blaye wines. The surrounding landscape is organized with precision, reflecting the close relationship between terroir, geography, and wine classification. Larmat’s atlas was intended not merely as decorative cartography but as a sophisticated reference for wine professionals, merchants, collectors, and enthusiasts. Detailed labeling and regional distinctions helped readers understand the organization of Bordeaux’s appellations at a time when interest in French wine culture was rapidly expanding internationally after World War II. Visually, the work combines functionality with refined graphic design. Delicate color divisions, elegant typography, and balanced composition give the map both clarity and decorative appeal. Its vintage aesthetic reflects the mid-century French tradition of educational yet highly artistic cartographic production. Today, Les Vins de Bordeaux – Côtes de Blaye, Blayais is appreciated not only as a historical wine document but also as a collectible artwork valued by wine enthusiasts, historians, and interior design collectors interested in French vineyard culture and classic cartography.