Ign Apicarto MCP Server

🚀 IGN API Carto MCP Server

This MCP (Model Context Protocol) server allows direct access to the rich geographical data of the IGN (Institut national de l'information géographique et forestière) from Claude Desktop or any other MCP-compatible client.

🚀 Quick Start

This MCP server enables you to access the geographical data of the IGN directly from Claude Desktop or other MCP-compatible clients. It exposes the main APIs of the IGN API Carto ecosystem, allowing you to query French cadastral, agricultural, environmental, urban planning, and administrative data in natural language.

✨ Features

Available Tools

📦 Installation

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/votre-utilisateur/ign-apicarto-mcp-server.git
cd ign-apicarto-mcp-server

2. Install dependencies

npm install

3. Configure environment variables

# Copy the example file
cp .env.example .env.local

Edit .env.local and add your IGN API key if you want to use the wine appellation endpoint:

# Get a free API key: https://geoservices.ign.fr/
IGN_API_KEY=your_api_key

4. Compile the project

npm run build

The compiled server will be available in the dist/ directory.

📚 Documentation

Configuration

Configure this MCP server with your preferred AI client. Click on the client you are using to see detailed instructions.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/ign-apicarto-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/ign-apicarto-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "enableAllProjectMcpServers": true
}

{
  "enabledMcpjsonServers": ["ign-apicarto"]
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/ign-apicarto-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["${workspaceFolder}/ign-apicarto-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/ign-apicarto-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/ign-apicarto-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ign-apicarto": {
      "url": "http://localhost:3000/mcp"
    }
  }
}

TRANSPORT=http PORT=3000 npm start

Transport Modes

The server supports two communication modes:

Stdio Mode (Default)

Standard mode for local use with Claude Desktop:

npm start

HTTP Mode (Optional)

For network use or from a remote client:

TRANSPORT=http PORT=3000 npm start

Environment Variables

Configure the server via the .env.local file or directly on the command line:

Configuration Files:

• .env.example: Template with all available variables
• .env.local: Your local configuration (not versioned)

💻 Usage Examples

Basic Usage

Once configured in Claude Desktop, you can query IGN data in natural language. The server will automatically translate your queries into appropriate API calls.

Restart after Configuration

After modifying claude_desktop_config.json, restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect.

Realized Projects

🍷 Territorial Analysis of Margaux-Cantenac

An interactive territorial analysis application for the wine-growing commune of Margaux-Cantenac (Gironde), developed with Claude and this MCP server.

🔗 View the interactive demo

Features

The application offers a comprehensive analysis of the territory in 4 sections:

Technologies

• React interface with tab navigation
• Integration of IGN and INPN (Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle) data
• Geographical visualization (bounding box, precise coordinates)
• Color codes to differentiate territorial zone types

How to Reproduce?

Create an interactive React application to analyze the territory of the commune of Margaux-Cantenac. Use IGN data to display:
- Administrative information
- Complete PLU zoning
- Protected natural areas
- Cadastral sections

The interface should be organized in tabs with smooth navigation.

Detailed Examples

1. Search by Postal Code

Question:

Which communes are associated with the postal code 75001?

Expected Response:

• List of communes with INSEE code
• Geographical coordinates
• Administrative boundaries

Tool Used: ign_get_communes_by_postal_code

2. Search for Cadastral Parcels

Question:

Find the cadastral parcels of the commune with the INSEE code 75101

Possible Parameters:

• Commune INSEE code
• Cadastral section
• Parcel number

Tool Used: ign_get_cadastre_parcelles

3. Verification of Urban Planning Zoning

Question:

What is the PLU zoning at these coordinates: {"type":"Point","coordinates":[2.35,48.85]}?

Returned Information:

• Zone type (U, AU, A, N)
• Applicable urban planning regulations
• Constructibility restrictions
• PLU update date

Tool Used: ign_get_gpu_urbanisme

4. Protected Natural Areas

Question:

Are there any Natura 2000 areas near this point: {"type":"Point","coordinates":[-1.69,48.10]}?

Returned Zone Types:

• Natura 2000 sites (ZSC, ZPS)
• ZNIEFF (type I and II)
• National and Regional Parks
• Natural Reserves

Tool Used: ign_get_nature_areas

5. Registre Parcellaire Graphique (Agriculture)

Question:

What crops are declared on this agricultural parcel in 2023?
Geometry: {"type":"Point","coordinates":[2.35,45.85]}

Available Data:

• Crop type
• Declared area
• PAC crop code
• Declaration year (2010 - 2024)

Tool Used: ign_get_rpg

6. Wine Appellations

Note: This endpoint requires a free IGN API key. Get it on geoservices.ign.fr

Question:

Is this parcel located in a wine appellation area?
Coordinates: {"type":"Point","coordinates":[4.84,45.76]}

Returned Information:

• Appellation type (AOC, IGP, VSIG)
• Appellation name
• Appellation identifier
• Zone geometry

Tool Used: ign_get_aoc_viticoles

Required Configuration:

# In .env.local
IGN_API_KEY=your_api_key

7. Administrative Boundaries

Question:

In which department and region is the city of Lyon located?

Available Data:

• Municipal boundaries
• Departmental contours
• Regional contours
• Official geographical codes

Tool Used: ign_get_administrative_limits

🔧 Technical Details

Geometry Format

Geometries must be in GeoJSON format in WGS84 (EPSG:4326):

// Point
{"type":"Point","coordinates":[longitude, latitude]}

// Polygon
{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[lon1,lat1],[lon2,lat2],[lon3,lat3],[lon1,lat1]]]}

// MultiPolygon
{"type":"MultiPolygon","coordinates":[[[[lon1,lat1],[lon2,lat2],...]],[...]]}

Limitations

IGN API Limits

Functional Limitations

• ⚠️ The WFS-Geoportail module is in beta version
• Some data may have a delay in updating
• Complex geometries may require simplification
• RPG data is available from 2010 to 2024

Data Sources

Development

Project Structure

ign-apicarto-mcp-server/
├── src/
│   ├── index.ts          # Server entry point
│   ├── api-client.ts     # HTTP client for the IGN API
│   └── types.ts          # TypeScript types
├── dist/                 # Compiled files
├── .env.example          # Environment variable template
├── .env.local            # Local configuration (not versioned)
├── .gitignore
├── package.json
├── tsconfig.json
└── README.md

Available Scripts

# Start the server in development mode
npm run dev

# Compile the project
npm run build

# Start the server in production mode
npm start

# Run tests (if available)
npm test

# Check the code
npm run lint

Contribute

Contributions are welcome! To contribute:

1. Fork the project
2. Create a branch for your feature (git checkout -b feature/AmazingFeature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some AmazingFeature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/AmazingFeature)
5. Open a Pull Request

Add a New Tool

To add a new MCP tool:

1. Create a new file in src/tools/
2. Define the tool schema with its parameters
3. Implement the logic to call the IGN API
4. Register the tool in src/index.ts
5. Document the tool in this README

Troubleshooting

Server Does Not Start

Checks:

• Node.js version 16+ is installed: node --version
• Dependencies are installed: npm install
• The project is compiled: npm run build
• The dist/index.js file exists

Claude Desktop Does Not Detect the Server

Solutions:

1. Make sure the path in claude_desktop_config.json is absolute and correct
2. Restart Claude Desktop completely
3. Check the Claude Desktop logs:
   • macOS: ~/Library/Logs/Claude/
   • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\logs\
   • Linux: ~/.config/Claude/logs/

API Errors

Common Problems:

Geometry Problems

Geometries must be in WGS84 (EPSG:4326) with longitude before latitude:

✅ Correct: {"type":"Point","coordinates":[2.35, 48.85]}
❌ Incorrect: {"type":"Point","coordinates":[48.85, 2.35]}

Slow Performance

Optimizations:

• Use simplified geometries for large areas
• Limit the number of results with the _limit parameter
• Use specific filters instead of broad queries
• Check your internet connection

Resources

Official Documentation

• API Carto Documentation - Complete API documentation
• IGN Geoservices - Geoservices portal
• Model Context Protocol - MCP specification
• Claude Desktop - Claude Desktop application

Useful Tools

• GeoJSON.io - Create and visualize GeoJSON geometries
• EPSG Projections - Information on projection systems
• Géoportail - Visualize IGN data

Community

• GitHub Issues - Report a bug or suggest a feature
• Discussions - Ask questions

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for more details.

IGN Data

IGN data is subject to the Open License v2.0.

Developed with ❤️ for the French geospatial community