IGN Maps – New application for immersion in the heart of the territory – News


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IGN maps

An incredibly rich, new app from the National Geographic and Forestry Information Institute (IGN) allows everyone to better understand the landscapes around them and observe their evolution. A free public service that offers a different representation of our territory than that of the web giants.

Goodbye Geoportal. On May 15, 2024 The National Institute for Geographic and Forestry Information (IGN) has launched a brand new app called IGN Maps. It combines even more data from its own services and partner organizations, as well as various more or less useful tools. Like Géoportail, IGN Maps is 100% free and completely public. All the territories of continental France are therefore treated on an equal basis, without commercial reasons that could affect the presentation and, above all, no personal data is transmitted to third parties, contrary to the practice of commercial applications, especially those of Gafam (Waze on Google, Plans in Apple…). In terms of content, the application is structured around 3 topics.

Explore your territory

The “Explore” tab opens the door to a wealth of data. After selecting an area, you choose from a number of basic maps offered (plan, aerial photo, IGN map, Topo 25 map, etc.). Then we add, if we want, data from IGN or partner organizations: cadastral parcels, forests, watercourses, parks and gardens, incidental settlements, Natura 2000 zones… the choice is impressive. You can often even click on a marked area to get additional information, such as the type of plants grown on the farmland or the type of trees present in the forest. In addition, by going to “My choice” you can choose, for each of these layers, the desired level of transparency. Other features can also be useful, such as “Where am I?” » which allows you to find your way on the map and share your location or even the ability to generate landmarks that are easy to find later.

The application is full of information about extraordinary places around us.

Find your way

The “Detour” tab allows you to find the shortest or fastest route, on foot or by car, between two places. It also offers the possibility to trace the route yourself by clicking on the intersection points and thus discover the distance, travel time and altitude difference. If the use is simple, the interest is limited insofar as the application does not offer navigation or pre-recorded routes (for hiking, for example).

Thanks to Open Street Map data, you can also find many points of interest around you: shops, schools, health facilities, sometimes with their opening hours, but also sources of drinking water, toilets, etc. But again, without enough details, it can be difficult to navigate.

The IGN Maps app helps you find the best route, but it doesn’t take you there.

See the evolution of the place

This is undoubtedly the most exciting feature of the app. Whichever location is selected, it is possible to observe its development by clicking on the “Compare” tab. The screen is then divided into 2 parts, and for each of them there is the option of selecting aerial photos from the 1950s to the present day or maps, some of which date back to the 18th century.e century. The scanning system then allows you to visualize what has changed. IGN also uses this tool to bring infamous phenomena to our attention. Thus, with a simple click, we can observe the movement of the Pilat dune, notice the effect of tourism on the Mediterranean coast, or become aware of the extent of the melting of the Girose glacier in the Hautes-Alpes, all accompanied by some explanations. Educational.

IGN Maps highlights about fifty phenomena that shape our territories, such as the movement of the Pilat dune here.

Our opinion

This application is not intended to compete with commercial applications, whose functionality is generally more advanced. IGN would rather not “not depend on biased representations of economic actors like Gafam”, for example by highlighting actions of reforestation, development of hedges or installation of solar panels. The incredible richness of this application and the intelligent presentation of data make IGN Maps a mine of information for those interested in territories and their history.​​​​



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