L'Homme et la Mer Photo Festival
Open-air maritime photography festival in Le Guilvinec
About L'Homme et la Mer
L'Homme et la Mer Photo Festival: The Sea Through the Lens
Since 2011, the L'Homme et la Mer Photo Festival has taken over the public spaces of Le Guilvinec and Léchiagat each summer, two emblematic port towns in the Pays Bigouden in South Finistère. This open-air photography festival transforms the quays of France's leading artisanal fishing port into an open-air gallery, offering a unique artistic journey along the Breton coast.
A Photographic Journey Between Port and Coast
Each edition presents between fifteen and seventeen exhibitions, totaling around three hundred large-format photographs displayed in the streets, on the quays, squares, and seafront of Le Guilvinec and Léchiagat. The works, selected from hundreds of international submissions, explore the relationship between humans and the sea from all angles: artisanal fishing, port life, marine biodiversity, coastal landscapes, maritime traditions, and environmental issues.
A Rich Program Throughout the Summer
Beyond the exhibitions, the festival offers a varied cultural program that animates the entire summer season. The "Festival Wednesdays," held in July and August, alternate between photographic conferences and screenings. Guided tours with commentary allow visitors to discover the exhibitions accompanied by passionate volunteers. Educational workshops are also organized in local schools to raise awareness among younger generations about photography and maritime culture.
From "L'Homme et la Mer" to "Festival Photo du Guilvinec"
Building on the success of its first fourteen editions, the festival evolved its identity in 2025, adopting the name "Festival Photo du Guilvinec". The fifteenth edition, titled "Women and the Sea," highlighted the female perspective on the maritime world, featuring exclusively female photographers. For 2026, the sixteenth edition explores the theme "The Sea in Sharing," dedicated to the sharing of marine resources, ocean preservation, and the links between coastal communities.
A Free and Popular Event
One of the festival's major assets is its complete freeness. All exhibitions, conferences, and events are free to access, making this event a popular gathering that attracts several thousand visitors each year, including tourists and locals alike. The opening vernissage, a highlight of the festival, brings together exhibiting photographers, elected officials, and the public for a friendly time of meeting and exchange.
In fifteen years, the L'Homme et la Mer Photo Festival has established itself as one of Brittany's must-see photographic events, combining contemporary art, maritime heritage, and Breton conviviality in an exceptional natural setting.
L'Homme et la Mer — edition 2026
The 16th edition of the Guilvinec Photo Festival — now titled « La Mer en Partage » (The Sea Shared) — takes place from May 29 to September 30, 2026 in Le Guilvinec and Treffiagat-Léchiagat (Finistère). 17 photographic series and nearly 300 images are exhibited outdoors, accessible for free 24/7, along a 5-kilometer route around both sides of the port. Opening and launch weekend in the presence of the photographers on May 29 and 30.
16th Edition — La Mer en Partage (The Sea Shared) (2026)
After fourteen editions under the name « L'Homme et la Mer » (Man and the Sea) and an edition dedicated to women in 2025, the Guilvinec Photo Festival adopts in 2026 the title « La Mer en Partage », which is more universal and inclusive. The theme explores the sharing of marine resources, the transmission of maritime knowledge, the preservation of oceans, and the links between coastal communities worldwide.
An outdoor photographic route
For four months, nearly 300 photographs are displayed along a 5-kilometer route between Le Guilvinec and Treffiagat-Léchiagat, along the quays, in the port streets, and in public squares. The ensemble forms a true open-air gallery, with free and open access.
17 photographers from around the world
The 2026 edition brings together 17 professional photographers, selected from over 300 applications by the artistic committee. The selection prioritizes diversity of perspectives and nationalities, notably featuring artists from Iran, Italy, Indonesia, Peru, Chile, Turkey, and Panama. Among the exhibitions presented: Gaëlle de Trescadec (Audierne) on the daily life of fishing crews, Bernard Perrot (Plérin), winner of the special jury prize of the polar-maritime photo contest. The series address climate change at the poles, rising sea levels, the transmission of maritime trades in Brittany, plastic pollution, and threatened maritime peoples.
Associated programming
Beyond the exhibitions, the festival offers throughout the summer animations, photo conferences, itinerant openings, meetings with artists, screenings, guided tours, and mediation workshops in schools. Two photo marathons are organized on July 21 and August 18. The event « En Mer, En Livre » (At Sea, In Book) on August 2 and 3 combines photography and literature around maritime thrillers, in partnership with the De l'encre à l'écran bookstore. A print sale for the benefit of the SNSM is scheduled for August 13 at the Centre Loisirs et Culture.
Educational component
Primary school classes from Le Guilvinec and Treffiagat-Léchiagat have created, in partnership with middle schools and the maritime high school, a « sea alphabet book » — 24 panels where each letter inspires a word and then a photograph taken by the students. The treasure hunt « À toi de jouer Moussaillon ! » (Your turn to play, Cabin Boy!) is also offered to children throughout the summer.
Label and recognition
The 2026 edition benefits from the label « Bicentenary of Photography » awarded by the Ministry of Culture (September 2026 - September 2027). The festival is run by 70 volunteers and supported by the municipalities of Le Guilvinec and Treffiagat-Léchiagat, the Finistère department, and the Brittany Region.
Contact: 07 67 55 40 39 · [email protected] · festivalphotoduguilvinec.bzh.
Programme L'Homme et la Mer 2026
Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Opening Weekend
- May 29 — Official opening of the 16th edition in the presence of the photographers
- May 29 and 30 — Itinerant opening, discussions with photographers and guided walks in the port streets
From June 1 to September 30, 2026 — Permanent Exhibitions
- 17 photographic series and approximately 300 images exhibited outdoors along a 5 km route between Le Guilvinec and Treffiagat-Léchiagat
- Free and open access 24/7
- Sea alphabet book created by schools (24 panels)
July and August 2026 — Festival Wednesdays
- Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM — Guided tours of the exhibitions
- Cycle of conferences and photo screenings in the municipalities
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
- Photo Marathon n°1 — Contest open to the public
Sunday, August 2 and Monday, August 3, 2026 — En Mer, En Livre (At Sea, In Book)
- Event combining photography and literature around the maritime thriller
- In partnership with the De l'encre à l'écran bookstore
Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Sale of photographic prints at the Centre Loisirs et Culture, for the benefit of the SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer)
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- Photo Marathon n°2 — Second photo contest of the summer
Additional activities throughout the summer: meetings with artists, workshops in schools, treasure hunt « À toi de jouer Moussaillon ! » (Your turn to play, Cabin Boy!) for children, maritime law workshops at the Léchiagat high school.
Highlights L'Homme et la Mer 2026
- 16th edition with the new title « La Mer en Partage » (The Sea Shared)
- 17 professional photographers, nearly 300 images exhibited
- 5 km outdoor route between Le Guilvinec and Treffiagat-Léchiagat
- Opening and launch weekend on May 29 and 30, 2026
- Exhibitions accessible for free 24/7 from June 1 to September 30
- 2 photo marathons (July 21 and August 18) and the En Mer, En Livre (At Sea, In Book) event (August 2-3)
- Charity sale for the benefit of the SNSM on August 13
- Guided tours every Wednesday morning in July and August at 11 AM
- Sea alphabet book created by primary schools (24 panels)
- Edition labeled « Bicentenary of Photography » by the Ministry of Culture
Prices L'Homme et la Mer 2026
Practical information — L'Homme et la Mer
Practical Information
Location
Streets, quays, and squares of Le Guilvinec and Léchiagat, 29730 Le Guilvinec, Finistère.
Access
By car: Le Guilvinec is located 30 km southwest of Quimper via the D785 then the D53. Free parking near the port.
By bus: BreizhGo bus line from Quimper to Le Guilvinec.
Dates
From June to September/October each year. Vernissage at the end of May.
Prices
Completely free entry for all exhibitions and events.
Contact
Tel: 07 67 55 40 39
Email: [email protected]
Accessibility
Open-air exhibitions accessible to people with reduced mobility. Adapted route along the quays and squares of Le Guilvinec.
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Where does it take place — L'Homme et la Mer
Port du Guilvinec et rues de Léchiagat
33 rue de la Marine, 29730 Le Guilvinec