In May 2016, the Departmental Chamber UNGE 66 had initiated an action to materialize the crossing of the Paris meridian on the French-Spanish border. « The choice of the Paris meridian was not insignificant since it was along this meridian that in the 18th century, the measurements taken by our ancestors made it possible to determine an arc of the earth’s meridian and to define the metre, the standard of the metric system that is used today as a reference throughout the world. » said Sylvain Moreau, Departmental Secretary UNGE 66.

Unfortunately, due to the limited access to telephone networks, it was not possible to determine the coordinates of this marker with enough precision. The UNGE 66 therefore decided to complete the work with the support of several partners.

Among the partners, TERIA et Géomesure, the National Institute of Geographic and Forestry Information (IGN) and the Catalan Cartographic Institute (ICGC) were present to exploit the measured data. The UNGE 66 has also invited the Inspector of the Land Registry of Perpignan, the Order of Surveyors and its Spanish counterpart, the AMF 66, as well as the Mayor of Prats de Mollo.

Departure on Friday, June 18 at 9:30 am, a group of about fifteen people, joined the Peak of Costabonne (located at 2340 meters of altitude), with electric bicycle.  It stopped at the level of the rise to the pass of Pla, then finished its ascent by foot. The opportunity to discover a rich and preserved fauna and flora.

« The conditions were ideal, we met isards, vultures with the Canigo as a background. »

New technologies were also part of the trip : « Today, measurements are made thanks to satellites orbiting the Earth. The drone is also part of the palette of surveyors to make images but especially for 3D modeling and have a topography of great magnitude. » affirmed Sylvain Moreau.

Results obtained will allow the National Geographic Institute to transfer the marker and its data collected by the TERIA Terminal on maps. And symbolically to determine the precise passage of the meridian.

In May 2016, the Departmental Chamber UNGE 66 had initiated an action to materialize the crossing of the Paris meridian on the French-Spanish border.  “The choice of the Paris meridian was not insignificant since it was along this meridian that in the 18th century, the measurements taken by our ancestors made it possible to determine an arc of the earth’s meridian and to define the metre, the standard of the metric system that is used today as a reference throughout the world,” said Sylvain Moreau, Departmental Secretary UNGE 66.

Unfortunately, due to the limited access to telephone networks, it was not possible to determine the coordinates of this marker with enough precision. The UNGE 66 therefore decided to complete the work with the support of several partners.

Among the partners, TERIA and Géomesure, the National Institute of Geographic and Forestry Information (IGN) and the Catalan Cartographic Institute (ICGC) were present to exploit the measured data. The UNGE 66 has also invited the Inspector of the Land Registry of Perpignan, the Order of Surveyors and its Spanish counterpart, the AMF 66, as well as the Mayor of Prats de Mollo.

Departure on Friday, June 18 at 9:30 am, a group of about fifteen people, joined the Peak of Costabonne (located at 2340 meters of altitude), with electric bicycle.  It stopped at the level of the rise to the pass of Pla, then finished its ascent by foot. The opportunity to discover a rich and preserved fauna and flora.

“The conditions were ideal, we met isards, vultures with the Canigo as a background”.

New technologies were also part of the trip : “Today, measurements are made thanks to satellites orbiting the Earth. The drone is also part of the palette of surveyors to make images but especially for 3D modeling and have a topography of great magnitude, ” affirmed Sylvain Moreau.

Results obtained will allow the National Geographic Institute to transfer the marker and its data collected by the TERIA Terminal on maps. And symbolically to determine the precise passage of the meridian.

The TERIA team was delighted to accompany the surveyors in this scientific and human expedition.