Festival Photo De Maîche avec la Nature
Large-format nature photography at the Château du Désert in Haut-Doubs
About Photo Maîche Nature
Nature enhanced by photography
Each early September, the Parc du Château du Désert in Maîche transforms into an open-air gallery dedicated to nature and wildlife photography. The Festival Photo De Maîche avec la Nature, created in 2022, has quickly become a must-attend event for nature photography enthusiasts in the Haut-Doubs region and beyond.
A heritage setting for photography
The festival's setting is an invitation to contemplation in itself. The Château du Désert, a historic residence surrounded by a vast wooded park on the outskirts of Maîche, offers an ideal backdrop for the large-format exhibitions that line the park's pathways. The monumental prints, hung from trees and placed along the paths, create a striking dialogue between photographic art and the surrounding nature.
Over 40 photographers to discover
Since the 2024 edition, the festival has hosted over 40 photographers and artists, each offering their artistic sensibility and unique perspective on nature. The exhibitions are displayed in the castle park as well as in complementary locations such as the church and the Salle Jeanne d'Arc in Maîche. Visitors can discover works covering a wide variety of subjects: local wildlife of the Doubs, birds, mammals, insects, wild landscapes, flora, as well as distant photographic reports such as the Arctic foxes of Iceland presented by the 2024 guest of honor, Ananda Joinet.
Meet-and-greets, contests, and activities
Beyond the exhibitions, the festival offers a rich program of activities: meet-and-greets with photographers, conferences on nature and biodiversity, a photo contest open to amateurs, guided nature outings, and educational workshops. The festival is also an opportunity to raise public awareness about biodiversity conservation in the Haut-Doubs, a region rich in remarkable fauna and flora between forests, valleys, peat bogs, and rivers.
A growing festival
After two successful initial editions, the festival took on a new dimension in 2024 with the expansion of exhibition spaces and the hosting of 40 photographers. The 3rd edition in September 2025 and the 4th edition planned for 2026 confirm the event's anchoring in the cultural landscape of the Pays de Maîche and the Haut-Doubs.
Photo Maîche Nature — edition 2026
4th edition of the 'De Maîche avec la Nature' Photo Festival, from September 4 to 6, 2026, at the Parc du Château du Désert in Maîche. Large-format naturalist photography exhibitions, a market of local artisans and producers, an environmental forum, conferences, and activities. Guest of honor: Neil Villard, who presents his exhibition and book 'Puma, the Ghost of the Rockies'.
4th Edition: September 4 to 6, 2026
The 4th edition of the 'De Maîche avec la Nature' Photo Festival is confirmed from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the Parc du Château du Désert in Maîche and in several neighboring rooms (salles de l'Union, Decrind, and Ducreux), all sites being accessible on foot from the castle. Admission is free.
Neil Villard, Guest of Honor 2026
The guest of honor for this edition is photographer Neil Villard, who presents his exhibition and book 'Puma, the Ghost of the Rockies,' the result of long stakeouts to encounter this discreet big cat.
Exhibitions, Market, and Environmental Forum
The festival brings together more than 25 photographers and artists whose large-format works line the castle park and exhibition halls. It also hosts a market of over 40 local artisans and producers (woodwork, stonework, ironwork, cheeses, leather, honey, jewelry, cosmetics, pottery…) as well as an environmental forum gathering numerous naturalist associations, punctuated by conferences on wildlife and biodiversity throughout the weekend. Partner IPLN offers sales of photo and video equipment.
Activities and Photo Contest
Play areas and a nature-themed treasure hunt are offered to children, alongside activities, film screenings, a refreshment stand, and catering. The 2026 photo contest, free and open to adults, includes four categories (Wildlife, Proxiphoto/Macrofauna, World Landscapes, Plant World) with a prize fund of €1,000; the winners' photos are printed in large format (120×80 cm) and exhibited in the castle park. The jury is chaired by Teddy and Didier Bracard.
Highlights Photo Maîche Nature 2026
- 4th edition from September 4 to 6, 2026, Parc du Château du Désert in Maîche
- Guest of honor: Neil Villard — 'Puma, the Ghost of the Rockies'
- More than 25 photographers and artists, large-format outdoor exhibitions
- Market of over 40 local artisans and producers
- Environmental forum, conferences, and children's activities
- Free admission
Prices Photo Maîche Nature 2026
Practical information — Photo Maîche Nature
Practical information
Location
Parc du Château du Désert, Maîche (25120), Haut-Doubs. Complementary exhibitions at the church and Salle Jeanne d'Arc.
Access
- By car: Maîche is accessible via the D464 from Morteau (25 min) or the D437 from Besançon (1h15). Free parking near the castle.
- By public transport: Mobidoubs bus line from Besançon or Montbéliard.
Prices
Free entry or donation-based depending on the exhibition spaces.
Opening hours
Open Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Full schedule on the official website.
Contact
- Official website: festivalphotomaiche.fr
- Social media: Facebook and Instagram “De Maîche avec la Nature”
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Where does it take place — Photo Maîche Nature
Parc du Château du Désert
Parc du Château du Désert, 25120 Maîche