Département Des Côtes-du-Nord Décrété Le 30 Janvier 1790 Par l’Assemblée Nationale Divisé En 9 Districts Et 81 Cantons – Atlas National De France Sheet 44

Publishers: Chez Dumez
Price: £95
Publication Date: c.1790-92
Edition: First Edition
Format: Original copper engraving
Condition: In very good indeed condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 52.8cm x 62.6cm when opened

Condition:

Sheet 44 from Dumez and Aubry’s ‘Atlas National De France’ centreing on St Brieuc. Backed on linen and dissected into twelve sections. Minor surface wear and marks but in very good indeed, bright, clean condition. No slipcase.

The Atlas National De France: A Brief Description

The Atlas National de France, produced by Pierre Dumez and Pierre-Grégoire Chanlaire, is a significant cartographic work published in the late 18th century. This atlas provides an in-depth representation of France following the sweeping administrative reforms enacted during the French Revolution. It was created to illustrate the newly established divisions of the country into departments, districts, and cantons, as mandated by the National Assembly.

Historical Context

In January 1790, the National Assembly reorganised France into a system of 83 departments, subdivided into districts and cantons. This reorganisation aimed to replace the old provincial structures with a more uniform and rational system. The Atlas National de France was commissioned to visually document these changes and to serve as a practical guide to the new administrative layout. It became a vital resource for both government officials and the general public, providing a clear and comprehensive view of the new territorial divisions.

Authors and Publication

The atlas was directed by Pierre Dumez, a prominent geographer, with contributions from Pierre-Grégoire Chanlaire, a skilled cartographer. It was published in Paris, with Dumez based at Rue de la Harpe, No. 26, and Aubry, a bookseller associated with the project, located at Rue Baillet, No. 2. The collaboration between Dumez and Chanlaire ensured that the atlas was both accurate and artistically executed, reflecting the high standards of cartography of the period.

Content and Structure

The Atlas National de France comprises a series of meticulously detailed maps, each one representing a specific department of France. The maps delineate the administrative boundaries, including departments, districts, and cantons, as established by the National Assembly. The atlas features:

• Departmental Maps: Each map includes the names and borders of districts and cantons, along with major geographical features such as rivers, forests, and mountain ranges. The maps are adorned with decorative elements and often include detailed legends for easy reference.
• Geographical Accuracy: The maps were created using the best available geographical data of the time, and the cartographers paid great attention to detail to ensure accuracy. This made the atlas an invaluable tool for understanding the new administrative divisions of France.
• Elegant Design: In addition to its practical value, the atlas is noted for its elegant and clear design. The maps were engraved with great skill, and the use of shading and fine line work helped to convey the varied topography of the country.

Département des Côtes-du-Nord

One of the notable maps in the atlas is that of the Département des Côtes-du-Nord (now known as Côtes-d’Armor). This map shows the division of the department into 9 districts and 81 cantons, as decreed by the National Assembly on 30 January 1790. The map also includes details of the coastline, major towns, and important geographical features, providing a comprehensive overview of the area.

Legacy and Significance

The Atlas National de France is more than just a collection of maps; it is a historical document that captures the dramatic transformation of France’s territorial and administrative landscape following the Revolution. It serves as an essential resource for historians, geographers, and anyone interested in the history of cartography and the French Revolution. The atlas highlights the efforts to create a more unified and centralised France, and it remains a testament to the cartographic artistry of the late 18th century.

Saint-Brieuc In 1790: A Brief Description

In 1790, Saint-Brieuc experienced a pivotal transformation as it became the capital of the newly created Département des Côtes-du-Nord, known today as Côtes-d’Armor. This change was part of the sweeping administrative reforms implemented by the National Assembly during the early stages of the French Revolution. The reforms aimed to dismantle the old provincial system in favour of a more efficient and standardised division of France, creating 83 departments to simplify governance and distribute power more evenly across the country.

As the departmental capital, Saint-Brieuc assumed significant administrative responsibilities. It became the centre for local governance, housing the newly established departmental council and serving as the main location for political and judicial affairs. The city oversaw the administration of surrounding districts, which were further divided into smaller cantons. This new structure aimed to ensure that governance was accessible and that revolutionary principles of equality and fairness were upheld. The organisation of the département into districts allowed for more effective management of resources and better communication between local and national authorities.

The French Revolution profoundly affected Saint-Brieuc’s social and religious landscape. The city, like many others across France, saw the secularisation of religious institutions as the revolutionary government sought to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church. Monasteries, abbeys, and other religious properties were often seized, repurposed, or sold off as national assets. Churches were stripped of their wealth and, in some cases, repurposed for secular uses. This wave of secularisation was not merely administrative but also symbolic, representing the revolutionary ideals of breaking away from the old order.

Economically, Saint-Brieuc faced the challenges and upheavals that came with the broader changes in France. The redistribution of land and resources aimed to provide opportunities for the lower classes, but the transition was often fraught with difficulties. Traditional trade patterns and local markets were disrupted, and there was a sense of uncertainty as the city adjusted to the new revolutionary administration. Nevertheless, Saint-Brieuc’s position as a departmental capital brought some economic benefits, as it became a centre for trade and governance, attracting merchants and officials.

Culturally, the revolutionary fervour of the time infused daily life in Saint-Brieuc with a sense of both excitement and tension. Revolutionary symbols and language became commonplace, and citizens were encouraged to embrace new ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The city held public gatherings and celebrations to mark significant revolutionary events, reinforcing the new identity of the nation. Yet, this period was also marked by divisions, as not all residents supported the revolution with equal enthusiasm, leading to tensions between revolutionaries and those who favoured the old regime.

Saint-Brieuc in 1790 was a city in flux, caught between the remnants of the ancien régime and the revolutionary vision of a new France. The establishment of the Département des Côtes-du-Nord marked the beginning of a new chapter in its history, characterised by political change, social upheaval, and a redefinition of the city’s role within the French nation. Despite the challenges, Saint-Brieuc adapted to its newfound importance, laying the groundwork for its development in the years to come.

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