Cartes IGN

Cartes IGN: The Ultimate Mobile Mapping Companion for French Terrain Exploration

Cartes IGN is the official mobile application from France’s National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, delivering the nation’s most trusted topographic and aerial maps directly to your smartphone. This powerful tool transforms your device into a professional-grade navigation and discovery platform, offering unparalleled detail for outdoor adventures, urban exploration, and geographic research. Users download Cartes IGN to access authoritative IGN data offline, plan precise routes, and analyze the French landscape with scientific-grade layers, all without requiring a subscription.

Accessing and Managing Offline Topographic Maps

Users begin by downloading their required map sections for offline use. The primary action involves searching for a location or browsing the map view, then selecting the desired tile and initiating the download. The Cartes IGN app stores these high-detail IGN topographic maps locally on the device. This workflow ensures that navigation and data consultation remain fully functional in remote areas without cellular service. The result is a reliable, always-available map that forms the core of the user's experience with Cartes IGN.

Planning and Recording Hiking Routes and Tracks

This function allows users to design their excursions before setting out. The process starts by tapping the route creation tool, then placing waypoints directly onto the Cartes IGN map to chart a path. Users can adjust the route by dragging points and the app will calculate estimated distance and elevation gain. During the activity, the app can record a GPS track, which is saved to the user’s personal space. This provides a valuable log of the journey for future reference or sharing.

Utilizing the 3D Terrain Visualization Tool

To analyze the topography, users activate the 3D mode from the main interface. They can then navigate by dragging the screen to rotate the perspective and using pinch gestures to zoom. The Cartes IGN application generates the relief model from high-precision RGE Alti data, providing a realistic representation of mountains, valleys, and slopes. This is particularly useful for visualizing the difficulty of a planned route or simply for exploring the landscape from a new angle, enhancing the overall planning process.

Layering Thematic Geographic Data for Analysis

A key strength of Cartes IGN is the ability to overlay numerous thematic datasets onto the base map. Users open the data catalog, which contains layers for forestry, administrative boundaries, and land use. They activate these layers, often adjusting the opacity of each to see how they interact with the topographic base. This workflow enables in-depth analysis, such as understanding forest cover types or identifying protected natural zones, turning the app into a powerful tool for professional and educational purposes.

Sharing Custom Maps and Points of Interest

After creating a personalized map with annotations or routes, users can share their work. The process involves saving the project, then selecting the share icon. Cartes IGN generates a link or an embed code that can be sent to others. This allows hikers to share a planned route with their group or educators to distribute a custom map for a lesson. It extends the utility of the user's cartographic work beyond their own device.

Reporting Map Data Anomalies for Community Improvement

When a user spots a discrepancy, such as a new path missing from the map, they can contribute to its accuracy. They select the feedback tool, pinpoint the location on the Cartes IGN map, and describe the error with an optional photo. This report is sent directly to IGN’s cartographers. This collaborative loop ensures the geographic databases are continually refined and updated, making Cartes IGN a living, community-improved resource.

Comparing Historical and Modern Map Editions

For historical analysis, users can access the "Remonter le Temps" integration. They navigate to a location and use the tool to overlay historical map editions, such as Cassini maps or past aerial photographs, from different epochs. By sliding a transparency control, they can directly compare how the landscape, urban development, or coastline has changed over decades. This Cartes IGN feature offers a unique window into the temporal evolution of the French territory.