The maps and guides listed below are all published by either BRGM, the
French national geological survey, or by Masson, a respected scientific
publisher. Except where otherwise stated, all the publications listed in
this section are in French.
Geological Map of France and the Continental Margin 1:1 500 000.
1980, 1 sheet + text. Available flat or folded.
£30-00.
Now out of print - awaiting new 1:1 000 000 map due June 96-ish.
Minerals Map of France 1:1 500 000. 1980, 1 sheet + text.
£25-00
Mineral Deposits Maps of France 1:500 000.
A series of eight maps which cover the whole of France.
£22-00 each - available individually.
Tectonic Map of France 1:1 000 000. 1980, 2 sheets + text.
£30-00.
Seismotectonic Map of France 1:1 000 000. 1981, 1 sheet.
£25-00.
Geological Map of the Quaternary and Superficial Formations of France
1:1 000 000. 1974, 4 sheets.
£30-00.
There are currently three series of maps that cover the geology of France
in more detail. Please request the BRGM key-sheet to locate the map-sheet
for your area of interest.
Geological Map of France 1:250 000. 13 of 44 sheets published
so far, mainly covering SE France and the Paris Basin.
£24-00 each.
Geological Map of France 1:80 000. About half of the 267 sheets
in this older series are still available.
£24-00 each.
Geological Map of France 1:50 000. About 80% of the 1127 sheets
in this new series are now available, with more sheets being published rapidly.
£24-00 each.
Geology of France by Charles Pomerol et al. This English translation
consists of three parts; part 1 considers the geological history of France,
part 2 deals with the geology of the various regions, and part 3 gives details
of 12 long-distance itineraries taking in geologically interesting localities
the length and breadth of France. Includes a somewhat generalised 1:2 500
000 geological map of France. (Also available in French.)
£35-00.
Wines and Winelands of France - Geological Journeys by Charles Pomerol.
This English translation considers the relationship between geology and
wine, and is full of practical details to facilitate consideration of the
matter, including details of geological localities, fossil sites, geological
maps and vineyards for the wine-making areas of France. (Also available
in French.)
£22-00.
Fossils of France and Neighbouring Regions by J-C Fischer. In French.
This revised and augmented second edition is a practical recognition guide
to over 2000 species of plant, vertebrate and invertebrate fossils found
in France. It is designed for use in the field and contains over 2500 illustrations.
£30-00.
This series consists of small hardback books packed with colour photographs
and diagrams. They give an excellent introduction to the geology of the
various regions of France. Titles available are:-
Decouverte geologique de...
Nord de la France £12-95
Bretagne £12-95
Paris, Ile de France £12-95
Region centre £12-95
Massif Central, du Velay au Quercy £12-95
Alpes du Sud £12-95
Pyrenees occidentales £12-95
These guides describe the geology of the area and provide itineraries
to be followed through the region. Each one is roughly 200 pages long and
is exhaustively illustrated with drawings and photographs. There are more
than 20 guides in the series, each with its familiar red cover.
All titles are £27-50 each. Titles available are:-
Alpes du Dauphine
Alpes de Savoie
Alpes-Maritimes - Maures - Esterel
Aquitaine Occidentale
Aquitaine Orientale
Ardennes - Luxembourg
Bassin de Paris: Ile-de-France, Pays de Bray
Belgique
Bourgogne - Morvan
Bretagne
Causses - Cevennes-Aubrac
Corse
Jura
Languedoc mediterranean, Montagne Noire
Lorraine - Champagne
Lyonnais - Vallee du Rhone
Massif Central: Limousin, Auvergne, Velay
Normandie - Maine
Paris et environs - les roches, l'eau et les hommes
Poitou - Vendee - Charentes
Pyrenees Centrales franco-espagnoles - new guide for this important, popular and fascinating area.
Pyrenees Occidentales, Bearn, Pays Basque
Pyrenees Orientales, Corbieres
Provence
Region du Nord: Flandres, Artois, Boulonnais, Picardie, Bassin de Mons
Val de Loire: Anjou, Touraine, Orleanais, Berry
Vosges - Alsace