Land of Lavender, Music, and Photos.
The Roman city of Arles in Provence (South of France) has wonderful happenings throughout the year, but the one event that would make me move there is the summer photography festival -- a sophisticated pictorial feast.
Nestled at a bend of the Rhône river, and at the entrance to the flat and wild gypsy country of the Camargue, the city was a major Roman outpost and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its temporary residents was Vincent van Gogh who lived in town only for two years but fathered some 300 paintings and drawings while in Arles.
From July 6 to September 20, anything to do with photographic art is represented at the festival baptized Rencontres d'Arles (Arles' Encounters). Neither just a museum, nor only a festival, the event takes over the entire town in its summer heat.
The program is gigantic in scope and in quality. Held since 46 years, the festival draws thousands from over the World, fans and pros alike of anything photographic.
Spread inside churches, abbeys, former convents, ateliers, museums, galleries, plazas, outside walls and specially-erected tents, the eye enjoys a multitude of styles and formats in the relaxed mood of a provincial town. The beautiful Musée Réattu is one of the major anchors of the festival.
All of a sudden, a deep alley butts at a beautiful picture and becomes the view to walk to; everywhere the pictures find their support, be it a wall, a rubbish bin, a streetlamp, or a store window - not only present in official places, the art is leaking in the most unsuspected corners of the ancient city.
Not limited to inside exhibition spaces, the walls of many stores, houses, a few ruins even act now as flat surfaces where to hang photos - taking the expression street art to a whole new level. Inhabitants of Arles welcome the educated crowds roaming its narrow streets in search of yet another feast for the eyes.
Classes and workshops are open to everyone and attract a multitude of young talents and photographers looking to teach or refine their skills.
Usually used as a satellite location for many of the exhibits, the former SNCF Ateliers - abandoned former French railroad building sites, have become a major focus of the festival, even though the warehouses are somewhat estranged from the center of town and require vehicular transportation to get there.
Under the auspicious dedication of a new director, Sam Stourdzé, and the new owner of the gigantic site, the Fondation Luma, star architect Frank Gehry has created new exhibits spaces, such as the Atelier des forges, doted of metallic beams, as well as air and light control, something sometimes lacking in other fair locations.
And of course, the inevitable and welcomed food trucks have finally appeared in a traditionally very warm region such as Arles in the summer months. The many local sweets and ice cream shops make it easier to walk for hours among great pictures, enough to lift both soul and body.
This is not America, clean toilets and cool water fountains are still non-existent, but I am sure somebody is working on this for next year.
Questions? Comments?
Reach me at sidoniesawyer@gmail.com
Visit my website for more stories.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.