Every year, thousands of tourists descend upon the region of Normandy, and many of these tourists are historians fascinated by Normandy's role in the D-Day attacks of 1944. Maps of Normandy hold a unique appeal because they demonstrate the changes wrought by history. Collectors treasure maps such as the defense maps made in 1943 in preparation for the attacks. These maps include details like enemy emplacements. The Michelin map #102, entitled "Battle of Normandy," maps roads, beaches, towns, landing zones, causeways, flooded fields and airborne drops that comprised the scene of the D-Day invasion.
Maps of the Normandy region reflect how cartography has evolved over the ages. While the first maps of Normandy were created by hand, drawn and labeled by scribes and artists, contemporary maps are the product of global positioning data. These maps also have interactive capabilities that put advanced cartographic tools in the hand of the everyday computer user.
Armchair travelers to Normandy may appreciate the finer historical details included in the maps and books about the region. Tourists, however, often require a more abbreviated map such as the one published by Cartographics. The map provides a general overview of the region, with some historical detail, but also has visual clarity, showing landmarks and important sites and not burying them in detail. For visitors who plan to rent a car and drive through the region, consider purchasing a supplementary road map.
One of the most popular maps of Normandy is "Major & Mrs Holt's Battle Map of the Normandy Landing Beaches," a two-sided map that illustrates the coast and access roads, but also has ancillary information about the D-Day attacks and the Battle of Normandy. Another favorite map is "Normandy Green Guide," published by Michelin, and showing ten possible driving routes for seeing Normandy's most popular attractions. "Normandie a pied" is a paperback guides that includes color reproductions from the French topographic survey, with tips and routes for hikers.
In 2004, Thames & Hudson published "The D-Day Atlas: Anatomy of the Normandy Campaign," the result of many years of research and writing by Charles Messenger. Nearly 200 pages detail historic considerations of Normandy's territories. The author reprinted over 70 maps in full color, some of which were the same maps used by the Allies in 1944. Vintage photographs and historic reconstruction drawings deepen this definitive exploration of Normandy's history. The author was careful to be inclusive by representing the perspectives of multiple historians, resulting in a deep, and sometimes conflicting, analysis.
