Coloured town plan of Paris from the landmark Braun & Hogenberg atlas of cities throughout the world entitled “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” first published in 1572. Initially appearing in 1572, the plate is entitled Lutetia…, the name of the town at the time of the Roman Empire. The plan, which shows a detailed view of 16th century Paris oriented to the east, is based on the “Plan Premier”, a large manuscript map of the city completed ca 1530. Île de la Cité is found at the centre of the plan with Notre Dame at the top (east end) and the royal palace and Saint Chapelle at the bottom (west end). Forming part of the city wall, the notorious Bastille is located at the top of the plan and residents of Paris in period dress appear at the bottom left. A description of the city appears verso in Latin. Other than professional repairs to a tiny hole at the bottom of the image and a few minor tears in margins, not affecting the image, a finely coloured example in very good condition. 34 cm x 48.5 cm