Germaine Lavalley

original 1927 poster for the french state railroad - Chinon Ruines du chateau

1927

Constant Duval's 1924 travel poster for the Château de Saumur, endorsed by the Chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans, is a timeless masterpiece that beautifully captures the charm of the ...

The 1923 original poster by Roger Broders for the Services Automobiles de la route du Jura promoting Salins-les-Bains et le Fort St André is an exquisite example of early 20th-century travel poster design. Commissioned by the P.L.M. (Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée) railway company, this artwork perfectly reflects the charm of the Jura region while showcasing Broders' mastery of composition, color, and visual storytelling. Roger Broders, one of the most celebrated travel poster artists of the Art Deco era, was renowned for his ability to capture the essence of a destination with elegance and clarity. His posters played a pivotal role in promoting tourism across France during the golden age of travel, often highlighting scenic routes, idyllic landscapes, and picturesque towns. In this particular work, Broders portrays the serene beauty of the Jura region with his characteristic style: clean lines, harmonious compositions, and a rich yet restrained color palette. The poster invites travelers to explore the famous Salins-les-Bains, a historic spa town celebrated for its saltwater springs, and the iconic Fort Saint-André, a stunning hilltop fortress offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The artwork vividly conveys the natural splendor of the Jura, with rolling hills, lush greenery, and soft, sunlit skies. The carefully composed scene features winding roads, inviting travelers to journey through the tranquil region aboard the “Services Automobiles”—a service that complemented the P.L.M. railway network by connecting train passengers to remote and scenic destinations by road. Broders’ attention to detail is unmistakable. His use of warm earth tones and subtle shading creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer into the landscape. The elegantly stylized typography adds to the poster’s charm, seamlessly integrating the text into the composition without distracting from the artwork itself. This poster is not only a masterpiece of travel advertising but also a reflection of the growing trend of leisure travel in the early 20th century. As rail travel flourished, companies like P.L.M. recognized the need to promote lesser-known but stunning destinations to affluent tourists seeking adventure, relaxation, and scenic beauty. Broders' work became an essential tool in this effort, helping to define the visual language of travel posters for decades to come. The 1923 Services Automobiles poster...

In this 1923 travel poster by Léon Constant Duval, the medieval village of Beynac-et-Cazenac cascades down a limestone cliff along the banks of the Dordogne River, crowned by the imp...

Original vintage train travel advertising poster for Chateaux de la Loire Cheverny issued by the state-owned French National Railways (SNCF Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Franc...