Route Des Alpes - Col De Vars - Rene Pean

This evocative poster by René Péan presents a sweeping vision of the Route des Alpes as it winds through the dramatic mountain landscape of the Col de Vars. The composition balances grandeur and narrative, with a panoramic alpine backdrop rendered in soft, harmonious tones of green, rose, and blue. In the foreground, an early motor coach filled with elegantly dressed travelers advances along the road, symbolizing modern leisure and the romance of exploration. Scattered figures, grazing horses, and reflective water add life and scale, inviting the viewer into an idealized mountain journey.Created for the Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée railway network, the poster promotes the Col de Vars as both a scenic marvel and an accessible destination. Péan emphasizes the contrast between technological progress and untouched nature, presenting alpine travel as refined, adventurous, and comfortable. The image captures the optimism of early twentieth-century tourism, when mountain passes became gateways to discovery rather than obstacles to be crossed.René Péan (1875–1955) was a French painter and poster artist active during the golden age of travel advertising. He is best known for his finely composed railway and tourism posters, which combined strong draftsmanship with a lyrical approach to landscape. Péan’s work often celebrated motion, modern transport, and the pleasures of travel, helping to shape the visual identity of French tourism promotion in the early decades of the twentieth century.This is an Original Vintage Poster, it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.+---------