This work comes from an accurate research in the archives of Paris. It aims to underline the importance of Mediterranean Marine Atlases realized by the “hydrograph engineers” of French Navy since 1679.
These atlases (especially handmade) are very different from traditional small scale nautical maps of medieval and modern age.
French atlases characterize themself as original and exact surveys, made always from the sea; they were characterized by drawings and maps about specific subjects, like: harbors and coves, fortified cities and single towers (overall, perspective or plan views).
Among all, the first “Portolano-Map of Mediterranean Sea” stands out: six handmade atlases drown by the engineers Pierre De Pène and Jacques Pétré in 1679-1685, on clear information from minister Colbert and from the king Louis XIV himself.
At the time France was at war against Spain, England and Netherlands and she needed the most exact maps of “Mediterranean theatre”; therefore these atlases are real geo-political and military instruments
