Rencontres de la Jeune Photographie Internationale

Rencontres de la Jeune Photographie Internationale: Thirty Years of Discoveries in Niort

Since 1994, the Rencontres de la Jeune Photographie Internationale (RJPI) has offered a unique program in the world of contemporary photography. Supported by the association Pour l'instant and Villa Pérochon, it is based on a collective residency principle: each year, eight to ten emerging young photographers, French and international, are selected by application to join a twenty-day residency at Fort Foucault, an emblematic medieval site in Niort.

Guided by an internationally renowned godfather photographer, residents work immersively on a personal photographic project while sharing a multicultural collective experience. This format, which combines artistic support, group emulation, and a diversity of perspectives, has built the reputation of the RJPI and helped launch numerous talents in contemporary photography.

An Exhibition Trail Through the City

The works created during the residency are presented to the public through an exhibition trail spread across several heritage sites in Niort. Villa Pérochon, a magnificent 19th-century bourgeois residence converted into a contemporary photographic art center and recognized as being of national interest by the Ministry of Culture, is the heart of this trail. Other sites such as Fort Foucault, the Pilori, and various spaces in the city center also host exhibitions.

Villa Pérochon: A National Art Center

Since its designation as a national contemporary art center, Villa Pérochon has established itself as a key venue for photography in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Beyond the RJPI, it offers exhibitions, artist residencies, and cultural outreach activities throughout the year, contributing to Niort's reputation as a city of photography.

A Launchpad for Emerging Photographers

The Rencontres de la Jeune Photographie Internationale has supported hundreds of young photographers since its inception, offering them an exceptional production framework and national and international visibility. Supported by the Ministry of Culture (DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine), the City of Niort, the Department of Deux-Sèvres, and the Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the RJPI embodies an open, engaged, and discovery-oriented approach to photography.