Carte vélocipédique des Environs d'Alger

Carte vélocipédique des Environs d'Alger

[Description complète en français sur demande] This rare cycling road map of the Algiers region was published in Algiers during the French colonial period. It serves as a significant reminder of the cultural life of the large European middle class living in Algiers at the time and highlights the importance of tourism for colonial administration. Algeria was officially annexed by France in 1848 and operated under the same administrative structure as metropolitan France, although the local Muslim population was largely deprived of most political rights. French and other European settlers made up less than 15% of the total population; however, in the capital, Algiers, around 60% of the residents had European backgrounds. This substantial and relatively affluent population introduced its own customs and hobbies, including cycling, which was the most popular sport in France at the time. Our map was first published in 1899, just a few years after the release of the first French cycling road map in 1893, and was reissued in 1909 (our copy), reflecting the dynamism of the local market for such hobbies. The author, Émile Lowe (Schwerin 1846 - Algiers 1921), adopted the idea of illustrating his map with road profiles between cities from the French publishing company Lanée, which allowed for easy visualization of the elevation of each route. The map also provides various useful pieces of information, such as inns welcoming travelers "without luggage," routes that cross rivers requiring fording, hot thermal springs, and comments on the quality of the pavement. Additionally, it details the precise geography of the countryside surrounding Algiers, including hamlets, farms, and religious buildings, reflecting a deep understanding of an area where both populations largely lived in segregation. The map also highlights another lesser-known aspect of that time: the rapid development of tourism in Algeria. Biskra, located 400 km from Algiers, became a key destination, nicknamed "The Door of the Desert." By around 1900, Biskra had emerged as a hotspot for celebrities, attracting figures from all over the world, including Oscar Wilde, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Karl Marx, and Henri Matisse. The map was published under the patronage of the Touring Club de France and the Comité dHivernage d'Alger, the latter being responsible for the promotion and development of tourism. The "wintering" committee promoted local destinations for European and foreign tourists. Tourism was a priority for the colonial administration, as it not only boosted the Algerian economy but also served to glorify colonial achievements. -------------------------------------- Cette rare carte routière cycliste de la région d'Alger a été publiée à Alger pendant la période coloniale. Elle constitue un précieux témoignage de la vie culturelle de la vaste classe moyenne européenne vivant à Alger à l'époque et met en lumière l'importance du tourisme pour l'administration coloniale. L'Algérie a été officiellement

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