From Aerospace to Globes: An Artistic Journey

A Passionate Reinvention

After years designing equipment for aircraft and space launchers, Gael Gaborel felt the pull toward his true calling. Since childhood, maps and atlases had captivated him, and decades of travel only deepened his love for geography and representations of the world. The catalyst came from an unexpected source: His eight-year-old child's simple question: "Papa, what if we made a globe together?"

The Birth of OrbisTerrae

In 2017, Gael founded OrbisTerrae in Cognac with a clear mission: to create the terrestrial globes he had always dreamed of but could never find in France—unique pieces of exceptional quality, personalized and painted in watercolor. The challenge was formidable. With no formal training or master craftsman to guide him, Gael had to reinvent everything: the cartography, sphere construction, and rotating mechanisms. Each step became its own adventure, allowing him to rediscover ancient techniques and adapt them to the contemporary world, without compromise.

A Singular Artisanal Expertise

Today, Gael crafts globes using natural, sustainable materials like wood and staff plaster. Each piece is carefully assembled in collaboration with talented local artisans. While the range has expanded to include various sizes and models, the passion remains as vibrant as ever.

Your Story, Our Creation

With each client, Gael co-creates a unique globe. Whether depicting a childhood village, tracing a life's trajectory, illustrating a sailing voyage around the world, or chronicling a 4L expedition through the Himalayas, every globe tells a deeply personal story, enhanced with custom illustrations. Gael now travels alongside his clients, each bringing extraordinary, often fantastical projects to life.

A Legacy to Pass Down

The ultimate ambition? To create works of art that transcend generations. Each globe is designed to become a family heirloom, carrying your story and adventures into the future.

Recognition

Our best recognition comes from our client's testimonies, but aknowledgement from our peers is also invaluable.

Winner of the Nouvelle Aquitaine Ateliers d'Art de France 2022 Competition, Heritage Category