Publish at December 17 2025 Updated December 18 2025
While today's world is easily mapped thanks to satellite technology, it was a long and arduous task to draw up the first geographical maps. The first map to cover the whole of France was the Cassini map. If we were more precise, we'd say the Cassini, as it took four generations of the same family to complete.
It all began in 1745, when Jacques Cassini was asked by Louis XV to produce a truly comprehensive map of the country. He began by following in the footsteps of his father, a brilliant Italian astronomer.
At the time, the sky served as a "compass" for cartographers. He carried out a series of highly precise triangulations, which his son and grandson continued for 70 years. They had to build platforms to record every river, forest, tower, castle, etc. A work of goldsmith's art which, unfortunately, soon became obsolete, given the time taken to produce it. Nevertheless, this map lives on today in the French geoportail.
Running time: 4 minutes
Learn more about this resource
You might also like:
Learn the mechanisms of misinformation with Bad News
Understand the strategies of online disinformation through an interactive experience that puts you in the shoes of a fake news propagator.
Elude: a serious game for understanding depression
An original approach to depression. The game's metaphor is well conceived, a little dark and informative about a problem that affects millions of people.
A serious game on social engagement
Many serious games address the topic of sustainable development. Yet before such solutions were proposed, innovative people had to go against the social grain and fight to improve their environment. A humorous adventure game, hosted by the National Film Board, teaches children the attitudes they need to adopt to make a difference.
"Phalenes! understanding natural selection through play
A serious game designed to demonstrate natural selection and its effects on a moth population.
Koam, playing with balanced nutrition
A veritable showcase for public health, Koam was developed by Nutrikeo, a consulting firm specializing in nutritional strategies. Supported by BPI France, the Nouvelle Aquitaine region and Europe, Koam is the result of two years' work by a team of leading specialists in nutrition, childhood, pedagogy, sociology, digital and behavioral theory.
