This 1911 original travel poster by Julien Lacaze was issued for the Chemins de fer de l’État to promote excursions along the Seine between Rouen and Le Havre, highlighting the picturesque stop at Duclair. Designed to encourage combined rail and river travel, it reflects the early twentieth century fascination with scenic tourism made accessible by modern transport.
The composition focuses on the dramatic limestone cliffs rising above the Seine, softened by vegetation and autumnal tones. The calm river, small boat, and expansive sky create a tranquil atmosphere that contrasts with the rugged landscape, suggesting both adventure and relaxation. Lacaze’s painterly style — atmospheric washes, naturalistic colour, and simplified forms — places the poster within the tradition of French railway promotional art of the period.
Duclair and the Seine valley were popular destinations for leisure travellers seeking countryside escapes near Paris. Railway companies often collaborated with riverboat services, offering combined journeys that blended comfort with scenic discovery, a concept clearly emphasised by the poster’s reference to travel “par chemin de fer et bateau.”
Today, this poster is appreciated both as a decorative example of Belle Époque travel advertising and as a historical document reflecting the rise of leisure tourism, regional promotion, and the visual culture of early twentieth-century transport networks.
Original Poster
Railway - Tourism - Seine-Maritime - France
By rail and boat
Printed by F. Champenois in Paris
Good condition, some creases, minor restorations
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