Books and Movies: IGN Great War 1914-1918 Map, 1:410,000

IGN 2014 Map0002

 

In 2014, in conjunction with the Mission Centenaire 14-18, France’s National Geographic Institute (http://ign.fr) published this Great War 1914-1918 map in 1:410,000 scale.

 

The map is published in three languages:  French, English and German.  It covers the Western Front from the North Sea down to the Swiss Border and the map shows the front lines at various points in time.  Also, it has lots of additional information on main tourist sites in the area.  Special “break-out” sections focus on the major battles in greater detail and at a larger scale, as shown below.

 

IGN 2014 Map0001

 

The map also contains text sections that outline the chronology of the war and that provide links to “First World War Remembrance Trails,” as shown below:

IGN 2014 Map0003

 

This is not the comprehensive map for the avid battlefield tourist.  One still needs the IGN 1:25,000 scale maps and regimental histories / maps to really understand and walk the battlefield.  But the map is great for showing the front lines on key dates and for showing some of the key sites of the great war.

 

Tourists should be able to find this map at the book store at Fort Douaumont.   Unfortunately, the book store on Verdun’s Rue Mazel is no longer in business.