Festival 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.