Menton Travel Poster: PLM Menton—17½ Hours from Paris, 11 Minutes from Monte‑Carlo by Frédéric Hugo d’Alesi, 1898

P.L.M. Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée: Menton à 17 h 1/2 de Paris et à 11 minutes de Monte‑Carlo by Frédéric Hugo d’Alesi (1898) captures the French Riviera at the height of the Belle Époque travel boom. Designed to entice modern rail passengers to the sun‑kissed edge of France, this luminous poster pairs an idyllic coastal vista with a proud local figure bearing a basket of lemons—an emblem of Menton’s famed microclimate and citrus heritage. Alesi’s poetic typography highlights how swiftly the PLM railway could deliver travelers to this Mediterranean haven, underscoring Menton’s closeness to Monte‑Carlo and its glamour.

This fine art print is faithfully reproduced from the original lithographic poster and available on your choice of acid‑free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. The Unique Maps Co. offers a range of sizes, bespoke framing, and tasteful personalization—ideal for commemorating a special trip, marking a new home, or coordinating with your interior palette. Custom requests and inscription options are welcomed.

Frédéric Alexianu, better known as F. Hugo d’Alesi, was a Transylvanian‑born, Paris‑based painter, poster artist, and illustrator whose career blossomed alongside the golden age of European rail travel. Active in the late 19th century, he created celebrated advertising art for major railway lines and shipping companies, helping to define the visual language of tourism. His elegant command of lithography—clear silhouettes, soft tonal blends, and engaging narrative scenes—made destinations feel both accessible and romantic.

Menton’s allure in this poster is both geographic and cultural. Set between sea and mountains at the Italian border, the town had already earned a reputation for mild winters, Belle Époque villas, and leisurely promenades. The headline promise—Menton just 17½ hours from Paris and a mere 11 minutes from Monte‑Carlo—spoke to a new era when rail transformed far‑flung resorts into weekend possibilities. The image of a local woman carrying lemons nods to the region’s agricultural prosperity and to Menton’s enduring identity as France’s citrus capital.

Color and composition heighten the invitation to travel. A palette of greens, yellows, and warm beige is enlivened by touches of blue, evoking sunlit terraces, lush foliage, and the Mediterranean’s shimmering horizon. The figure’s horizontally striped dress lends rhythmic movement, while her rounded basket contrasts with the angular mountain forms behind her, creating a balanced, harmonious layout typical of late 19th‑century lithography. The golden lemons (Citrus limon) punctuate the scene with bright highlights that feel both decorative and authentic—a tactile promise of place.

As a gift, this print is a perfect keepsake for anyone who has strolled Menton’s promenades, toured Monte‑Carlo, or dreams of the French Riviera. It suits housewarmings, anniversaries, retirements, birthdays, or the holidays—an evocative reminder of sunshine and travel that brings a refined Belle Époque charm to any room.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.