Paris Travel Poster: Notre-Dame and the Seine by Roger de Valerio, 1937

Paris, édité par les grands réseaux de chemins de fer français by Roger de Valerio (1937) is a quintessential Art Deco travel poster that captures the grace and allure of the French capital at twilight. Designed at the height of interwar optimism, it celebrates Paris as both a historic city and a modern destination connected by an efficient rail network. De Valerio composes the scene around the silhouette of Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité, where smooth architectural lines, elegant bridges, and reflective waterways guide the eye through a tranquil, dreamlike Parisian evening.

This museum-quality reproduction is available as a fine art print on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s cotton canvas for a gallery-worthy finish. The Unique Maps Co. offers multiple sizes, professional framing, and custom matting options to fit your space. Personalization is available—add a commemorative date, a travel memory, or a short inscription—to create a piece that feels uniquely yours.

Roger de Valerio (1886–1951), born Roger Laviron, was one of France’s most prolific and refined poster artists. Trained in architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts, he brought a designer’s rigor to elegant, streamlined compositions. His career spanned art direction at Le Matin, a celebrated tenure illustrating thousands of music covers for Salabert, advisory work with Devambez, and editorial leadership at Le Rire. He later taught advertising arts and, after 1940, devoted himself to painting and book illustration. De Valerio’s posters are prized for their clarity, balance, and sophisticated color harmonies—hallmarks that made him a standout of the Art Deco era.

This particular design, commissioned by France’s major railway networks, embodies the promise of effortless travel to Paris in the 1930s. By spotlighting Notre-Dame and the sinuous course of the Seine, the poster fuses cultural heritage with modern mobility, underscoring how rail transformed a timeless city into an accessible, cosmopolitan hub. Created in 1937, on the cusp of great change in Europe, it doubles as an evocative time capsule of pre-war elegance and civic pride.

The artistry lies in its restrained geometry and atmospheric palette. Soft lavender and dusky pink dissolve into muted greens, evoking the hush of evening as light fades on the cathedral’s stone. Smooth gradients create depth without heavy detail, while crisp, simplified forms—a bridge arch here, a tree canopy there—deliver a serene rhythm across the composition. The result is at once romantic and modern: a harmonious balance that flatters contemporary interiors, from minimalist apartments to classic salons, and invites lingering contemplation.

This fine art print makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves Paris—ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, housewarmings, weddings, or to celebrate a recent trip or study abroad. It’s equally fitting for Christmas, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day, offering a refined reminder of the City of Light that will delight travelers, design aficionados, and Art Deco collectors alike.

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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.