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Arles Place De La République © Valentin Pacaut The ExplorersArles Place De La République © Valentin Pacaut The Explorers
©Arles Place De La République © Valentin Pacaut The Explorers

A photography weekend in Arles

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We’re used to saying that all roads lead to Rome, but in the world of photography, they actually take you to a cousin of the Roman city. Welcome to all those who want to visit Arles! Aschool of photography, an international festival, a museum and a cultural centre are the heartbeat of the town. An emblematic venue for both amateur and professional photographers who will love to capture the splendid setting of the town and the surrounding area.

Arles, the cradle of photography

Never without my camera

To visit Arles by the book (the 8th arrondissement), just  slip a camera in your suitcase. Recognised today as the City of Photography, the art has fashioned the town’s DNA for years. A setting full of character, a real playground for photographers with its monuments which date back to Roman times, its Van Gogh foundation, the old centre… and not far away, the sea and the Camargue. As you wander through the streets, you will come to the musée Réattu, which places photography in the limelight with a unique collection. Keep going and you’ll come to the École nationale de la photographie (national school of photography). This is the only Higher National School of photography in France, which trains talented future photographers in 3 years. And if you’re passing through in the summer, you’ll be able to attend the Rencontres d’Arles, an international festival which has been attracting the greatest photographers in the world for 50 years!

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The Rencontres d’Arles, a key event

The Mecca for photographers

Every year, the summer sees the return of the Rencontres d’Arles! This unique event of international photography encounters has brought together the most talented photographers in the world since 1969. Every summer, a number of events are organized all over the town on the subject of art, the image and photography. On the programme: exhibitions, conferences, night projections, concerts… in the emblematic spots in the town. Ideal for discovering another aspect of the town of Arles! We love La Nuit de l’année: an evening where photos are shown on giant screens all over the town cente of Arles. You’ll get a real eyeful! And take a moment to go to the Village des Rencontres d’Arles, the ideal place to meet photographers and other enthusiasts. Photography weekends are also organized, professoinals will accompany you for a training course and give you the keys to their savoir-faire and little secrets.

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The Musée Réattu is well worth a visit

An exceptional photographic collection

The visit of Arles continues! Head for the musée Réattu which gives pride of place to photography and the image. Here, pictures rub shoulders with sculptures and photos. An unprecedented initiative which combines practices and artists. Inaugurated in 1965 as the 1st photography collection in France exhibited in a fine arts museum, over 4000 works are now exhibited behind the doors of this showcase which looks over the Rhône. Wander around the corridors and the galleries and you’ll see the names of Man Ray, Edward Weston and Willy Ronis. One thing is for sure, you won’t get tired of visiting the place: the exhibitions and hangings are permanently renewed with new themes each time. Just what you need to find inspiration!

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Une publication partagée par Musée Réattu (@musee.reattu)

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

Une publication partagée par Luma Arles (@luma_arles)

Let’s stop for a moment at Luma Arles

A work of artists

On your to-do list of key venues to visit in Arles, Luma Arles is an absolute must. Stop off in this atypical place which is somewhere between a cultural center and a foundation. The project? To promote the work of artists in the emblematic venues of the town of Arles. Culture, science, art, human rights, environment, education, research… so many subjects broached and photography is one of them. Luma Arles is 6 historic industrial buildings which host presentations, installations, exhibitions every year, and also residences for the artists. Novelty: in the spring of 2021, the artistic resource center of Luma Arles will see the light, as will the inauguration of gardens and a public park. We can’t wait to see it!

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The inescapable photos of Arles

It’s your turn!

Nothing better than a little photo excursion to visit Arles to discover the little secret nooks and crannies in the town., Arles is the City of photography with its many institutions, and also its setting and exceptional monuments: as if the town itself was a picture! Look for the best angle to capture its lively and colorful little streets. Wait for the perfect light for sublime snaps of the Arènes, the Théâtre antique, the Cloître Saint-Trophime and the tour Luma. The banks of the Rhône will charm amateurs of sunsets and sunrises, and of course of the seaside. And to finish off the day, a little photo excursion in the landscapes of the Camargue to play hide and seek with the flamingoes. Insta hit guaranteed!

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