Rencontres Photo Fest Opens Tomorrow in Arles

The 57th Rencontres d'Arles, the international photography festival, begins tomorrow July 6 and runs through October 4, 2026.

As in year’s past, the festival will present a wide array of exhibits, screenings, talks and projections in venues across Arles and beyond.

Some exhibits will remain on view until the end of the festival while others have limited runs.

This year’s overall theme is Des Mondes à Relire ("Worlds to Reread"), featuring exhibits and events that look at Africa through ‘’liberation, visual culture and contemporary reinterpretation.’’ Ghana! Rêver l'Indépendance, for example, explores how photography helped forge a new national identity after the country gained independence.

Another strong thematic thread this year is the living world, from animals and plants to geology and organic matter. One exhibit on photographers and animals brings together major international talents such as Lucien Clergue, Martin Parr, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, and Sebastião Salgado.

In general, photo shows are open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (July 6 to August 30), and from 9:30 am to 7 pm (August 31 to October 4). However, certain sites have specific hours so be sure the check the schedule. The last entry to most exhibits is 15 minutes before closing.

As in years past, the festive opening week of the Rencontres (July 6 to 12), offers a wide range of special events such as screenings and projections, guided tours, talks and evening programs throughout the city. Many of the featured photographers will be in town for opening week.

For example on Tuesday, July 7 from 9:45 p.m. to midnight in the Ancient Theatre (1 Rue du Cloître), French musician, composer and filmmaker Chassol (full name Christophe Chassol) will present an original program immersing the audience in the early days of photography. Blending music, sound, and images, Chassol he’ll ‘’explore the major milestones of this visual revolution: early photographic processes, the art of portraiture, explorations of the world, nascent modernity, capturing movement, and the beginnings of cinema.’’

Chassol is best known for his concept of "ultrascore" — a technique he developed in which he takes filmed footage of real life (conversations, street scenes, nature sounds, cultural events, etc.) and harmonizes and musicalizes the natural rhythms and melodies already present in the sounds and speech. Classically trained, his work is deeply rooted in jazz, funk and Caribbean music — his family is from Martinique.

The same evening, Edward Steichen's great-granddaughter Ariana Stahmer will share an intimate account of the renowned photographer, revealing the profound connections between his work, his passion for gardens, and the women who shaped his life.

Rounding out the Tuesday evening program, Canadian artist Stan Douglas will explore ‘’questions of collective memory, powers and resistance’’ through films, photos and installations, often in dialogue with music…and the presentation of the Best Photo Books of the Year Awards. Evening programs are generally presented in French but translations are sometimes offered.

The popular annual event called The Night of Year happens on Saturday July 11, on the industrial site of the former Papeteries Étienne, which exceptionally open to the public for this event. The work of 40 photographers will be projected continuously on large screens along with live music, DJ sets, food trucks and bars.

You’ll find all the 2026 Rencontres info in French and in English on the festival site here and you can follow them on IG here. 

To plan your visit, a good place to start is here.

For all the activities during opening week click here.

For info on all the evening programs in English, I found this page very helpful.

There’s a detailed English-language overview of the 2026 program here.

And for a copy of the full press kit in English, click here!

Finally, if you’d like to experience the Rencontres but find it all a bit overwhelming, a couple of my favorite tour guides have once again offered to be Rencontres sherpas! They can help you plan your visit, purchase tickets, accompany you in Arles, book a great restaurant for lunch or dinner and possibly provide transportation to and from Arles as well. For more info on that: WhatToDoinProvence@gmail.com.

Photos: (1) The 2026 Rencontres poster features a photo by Carlos Idun-Tawiah called ''Many Reasons to Live Again.'' (2) Photo by Lisa Oppenheim. (3) Photo by James Barnor from the show Ghana! Dreaming Independence. (4) Photo by Lee Ufan. (5) Photo by Jean-Baptiste Huynh. (6) Photo by Ayana Jackson, from her Rencontres show at the Abbaye de Montmajour outside Arles. (7) ''Wings of the Hawk, 42nd Street'' photo by William Klein. (8) Sunflower #13 by Edward Steichen, with printer's color separation guide and gray scale. (9) Photo by Lee Ufan. (10) Photo by Harry Gruyaert.