The antique map created in 1665, titled ‘Lemovicvm; Topographia Liminiae’ depicts the central region of France, including Limoges, Clermont-Ferrand, and Brive-la-Gaillarde. Lemovicum is the Latin name for Limoges, and Topographia Liminiae translates to ‘Topography of Limousin’, the historical province in France where these cities are located.
France in the early 17th century was a country still recovering from the religious wars of the previous century. The monarchy was weak and the nobility held significant power. The economy was primarily agricultural and the country still relied heavily on feudalism. This was also the time of the famous “Sun King,” Louis XIV, who ascended to the throne in 1643 at the age of four and would go on to rule for over 70 years, transforming France into a dominant European power. The map provides a glimpse into this historical period and
