A summer photography rendez-vous
The Rencontres d'Arles festival, founded by Lucien Clergue, Michel Tournier, and Jean-Maurice Rouquette, gathers the best of contemporary photography every summer since 1970. The photographs that you will discover are for the most part unpublished productions. In addition to exhibitions, you can attend screenings, meetings, and debates, as well as the famous Nuit de l'Année.
A city that is also a living museum
On the occasion of this festival of international renown, sixty venues around the city are given the mandate to bring the project to life. In previous years, nearly 93,000 visitors discovered the exhibitions staged in symbolic places around the city. The stage design is one of the highlights of the festival, contrasting the photographic themes with the history or the age of the places that houses the photographs. The entire city moves to the rhythm of the festival.
A springboard for photographers
The festival presents all the diversity of photography, particuarly in terms of the themes covered. It also tries to present the latest in contemporary creation: basic trends, techniques and innovations, and new perspectives. Each year, it promotes the work of young photographers (one of whom wins the Prix Découverte) by exposing their work, which helps to build their international reputation.
And this year?
You can explore the exhibitions from July 4th to September 25th in the various venues in the city. This year the focus is particularly on street photography, documentary photography, and war photography--and there is always an invitation to travel, with exhibitions devoted to Africa and large areas of Camargue.
Contact Office de tourisme d'Arles Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, Boulevard des Lices 13200 Arles