Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 May 2009
In France a National Geological Survey was planned in 1822 by the Corps Royal des Mines, a government institution, in association with its subsidiary, the Ecole des Mines. The first objective was a rapid Survey of the whole of France, with the intention of preparing a general Geological Map of the country, to be followed by a more detailed Survey, based on the Départements. Field work for the general map commenced in 1825, and was completed in 1835 and a Geological Map of the whole of France, on a scale of approximately 8 miles to the inch was published by the Ministry of Public Works in 1841. The project was carried out entirely under the direction of the Ministry, at public expense. As a National Survey it thus preceded that of Great Britain, established in 1835, by some ten years.