Festival Photo Martagny
Free open-air contemporary photography festival in the heart of Vexin normand, on the edge of the Lyons forest
About Photo Martagny
A Norman village transformed into an open-air photographic gallery
Every summer since 2018, the peaceful small village of Martagny, nestled in the Vexin Normand on the edge of the Lyons state forest, transforms into an international-scale photographic exhibition venue. The Martagny Photo Festival, organized by the Visions d'Ailleurs association, presided over by Laurent Lucas, showcases over 5 hectares of green spaces around the Moulin de Martagny with a dozen exhibitions featuring nearly 200 large-format photographs. Entirely free and open access, the festival has established itself in a few years as an unmissable event for contemporary photography in Normandy.
Leading French and international photographers
The strength of the Martagny Photo Festival lies in the exceptional quality of its program. Each edition invites professional French and international photographers, from varied backgrounds and styles, to exhibit their works in this bucolic Norman setting. Photojournalism, portraiture, landscape, wildlife photography, contemporary artistic creation: the diversity of approaches offers visitors a rich and renewed panorama of global contemporary photography. The large-format prints, presented outdoors, take on a spectacular dimension in Martagny's verdant landscape.
An immersive journey into nature
The festival unfolds in the meadows, paths, and wooded areas of Martagny village, around the Mill, creating a discovery trail that blends art and nature. The photographs are installed along a walking route that winds through 3 exhibition sites, inviting visitors to a contemplative stroll. Immersion in nature, the singing of birds, and the Norman light bring a unique sensory dimension to the contemplation of the works. It is this alliance between museum-quality photography and a rural setting that makes the festival unique and charming.
Growing success crowned by Europe and Vexin
Since its creation in 2018, the Martagny Photo Festival has experienced spectacular growth. The 2025 edition welcomed over 14,000 visitors, confirming the attractiveness of this event which radiates far beyond the department's borders. The festival was awarded Étoile de l'Europe in 2023 in the heritage, culture, and tourism category, then Trésor du Vexin Normand in 2025, and cited among the 8 best summer photo festivals by Beaux-Arts Magazine. These recognitions salute the festival's contribution to the cultural influence of the region.
The Visions d'Ailleurs association, driving force of the festival
The festival is supported by the Visions d'Ailleurs association, whose commitment and passion make it possible to maintain the event's total gratuity and guarantee a high-level program. Nearly half of the village's inhabitants are mobilized as volunteers to ensure the setup of exhibitions, public reception, the daily information kiosk, and the organization of complementary events (vernissages, meetings with photographers, guided tours, evenings). This exemplary associative work makes the Martagny Photo Festival a model of cultural democratization in rural areas.
Photo Martagny — edition 2026
9th Edition - June 13 to August 30, 2026
The 9th edition of the Martagny Photo Festival takes place from Saturday, June 13 to Sunday, August 30, 2026 in the village of Martagny, in the heart of the Norman Vexin. For this new edition, the Visions d'Ailleurs association offers 11 exhibitions spread over 5 hectares of green spaces around the Moulin de Martagny, with free and open access 7 days a week.
An exceptional international program
The 2026 edition brings together leading French and international photographers, including:
- Jean Gaumy — member of Magnum Photos agency and the Académie des Beaux-Arts, with his exhibition « Les hommes de mer »
- Francesca Piqueras — Italian-Peruvian artist
- David Těšínský — Czech photographer
- Tateyuki Adachi — Japanese photographer, exhibition « Lion Night »
- Vincent Binant — exhibition « Zhitong »
- Olivier Muhloff and Frédéric Grimaud — French photographers
- Xavier Lambours — unprecedented capsule exhibition
- Frank Deschandol — wildlife photography trail « Apparitions », designed for children and families
Thematic exhibitions and collaborations
Several thematic exhibitions enrich the program:
- « Verdun, photographing the Great War » — exhibition in partnership with ECPAD (Defense audiovisual communication and production establishment), based on its photographic and audiovisual archives
- Erwan Autret's project with young people from IME Bernard Laurent
- « From Photo to Painting » — contemporary participatory work by Daniel Nicolaevsky Maria, created from photographs taken by residents and visitors of the Norman Vexin, to celebrate the centenary of Claude Monet's death (1926-2026)
Festival Evenings and events
New for 2026: the « Festival Evenings » offer convivial moments combining DJ sets, photo calls, and entertainment to make photographic culture accessible to the widest audience. Five dates are announced:
- Saturday, June 13, 2026 — opening night
- Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Saturday, August 29, 2026
On July 13, 2026, the festival hosts a communal barbecue and concert. The closing on August 30, 2026 celebrates Monet's centenary.
Throughout the summer, meetings with artists, free guided tours, and a daily welcome kiosk accompany the public.
Objective 2026
The organizers anticipate attendance close to 20,000 visitors, compared to 14,000 in the previous edition.
Programme Photo Martagny 2026
Exhibitions 2026 - June 13 to August 30
Guest Photographers
- Jean Gaumy (Magnum Photos, Académie des Beaux-Arts) — Les hommes de mer
- Tateyuki Adachi (Japan) — Lion Night
- Vincent Binant — Zhitong
- Frank Deschandol — Apparitions (wildlife photography trail, designed for children and families)
- Francesca Piqueras (Italy/Peru)
- David Těšínský (Czech Republic)
- Olivier Muhloff (France)
- Frédéric Grimaud (France)
- Xavier Lambours — unprecedented capsule exhibition
Thematic Exhibitions
- Verdun, Photographing the Great War — ECPAD partnership (Defense photo and audiovisual archives)
- Erwan Autret Project with young people from the Bernard Laurent Medico-Educational Institute
- From Photo to Painting — contemporary participatory work by Daniel Nicolaevsky Maria, celebration of the centenary of Claude Monet's death (1926-2026), based on photographs by residents and visitors of the Norman Vexin
Festival Evenings (new for 2026)
DJ sets, photo calls, entertainment - from 6 PM onwards:
- Saturday, June 13, 2026 — opening night
- Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Saturday, August 29, 2026 — pre-closing
Special Events
- Monday, July 13, 2026 — communal barbecue and concert
- Sunday, August 30, 2026 — festival closing, Monet centenary celebration
All Summer
- Meetings with artists
- Free guided tours
- Daily welcome kiosk: Wednesday-Thursday 2 PM-6 PM, Friday-Saturday 10:30 AM-12:30 PM and 2 PM-7 PM, Sunday 11 AM-6 PM
Highlights Photo Martagny 2026
- 9th edition from June 13 to August 30, 2026
- 11 outdoor exhibitions across 5 hectares
- Jean Gaumy (Magnum Photos) headliner with Les hommes de mer
- Wildlife photography trail for children and families (Frank Deschandol)
- ECPAD partnership: Verdun, photographing the Great War
- Participatory work for the centenary of Claude Monet (1926-2026)
- New: 5 Festival Evenings with DJ sets and entertainment
- Free entry, open access 7 days a week
Prices Photo Martagny 2026
Practical information — Photo Martagny
Practical Information
Access
Address: Le Moulin de Martagny, 1 Le Bourg, 27150 Martagny.
By car: in the Vexin Normand, on the edge of the Lyons forest. Paris-Rouen-Beauvais triangle: 1h30 from Paris, 1h from Rouen, 45 min from Beauvais, and 20 min from Lyons-la-Forêt, Gisors or Gournay-en-Bray. Free parking on site.
By train: Gisors station (15 km), then car or taxi.
Hours
Open-air exhibitions accessible for free 7 days a week from mid-June to end of August.
Welcome kiosk: Wednesday-Thursday 2 PM-6 PM, Friday-Saturday 10:30 AM-12:30 PM and 2 PM-7 PM, Sunday 11 AM-6 PM.
Prices
Free admission.
Contact
Association Visions d'Ailleurs
1 Le Bourg, 27150 Martagny
Website: festivalphotomartagny.fr
Facebook: @festivalphotomartagny
Instagram: @festival_photo_martagny
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Where does it take place — Photo Martagny
Le Moulin de Martagny
Le Moulin de Martagny, 1 Le Bourg, 27150 Martagny