This 1953 original poster by Hervé Baille promotes the French national railway’s holiday travel offers, encouraging passengers to explore France through discounted SNCF tourist tickets and combined rail-and-coach fares. Produced during the optimistic post-war boom in leisure travel, the poster reflects the growing accessibility of tourism thanks to modern transport networks.
Baille’s lively composition presents a colourful montage of iconic French destinations — Paris landmarks, coastal scenery, historic cities, and alpine landscapes — all framed by sleek green trains racing across the top and bottom of the design. This visual structure cleverly reinforces the central message: rail travel connects every corner of France, making discovery easy and affordable.
The bold graphic style, simplified figures, and bright palette typify early-1950s commercial illustration, balancing clarity with charm. The inclusion of promotional text highlighting 20–30% fare reductions underscores how rail companies actively marketed tourism as both aspirational and attainable.
Today, the poster stands as a vivid example of mid-century French travel advertising, capturing a moment when railways were central to leisure culture — offering not just transportation, but the promise of exploration, modern mobility, and the pleasures of holiday travel across France.
Original Poster
Railway - Tourism - France
Printed by Hubert Baille & Cie in Paris
Good condition, some creases, minor restorations
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