Le Mois de la Photo
Contemporary photography festival of the Grenoble metropolitan area
About Mois de la Photo
Created in 2009 by La Maison de l'Image, Le Mois de la Photo is a free festival dedicated to contemporary photographic creation that takes place every autumn in the Grenoble metropolitan area. Since 2023, it has been held biennially: even years host major exhibitions at the Ancien Musée de Peinture, while odd years feature the Journées de la Photo, a more nomadic and event-driven format. Exhibitions, screenings, workshops, meetings, and photographic walks animate about twenty partner venues across the metropolis.
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Le Mois de la Photo: A Look at Contemporary Photographic Creation in Grenoble
Since 2009, Le Mois de la Photo has established itself as the essential event for contemporary photography in the Grenoble metropolitan area. Supported by La Maison de l'Image, an association dedicated to image education and artistic creation, this free festival invites a wide audience each autumn to explore today's photographic practices, question our relationship with images, and discover unique visual narratives.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
Le Mois de la Photo is distinguished by its strong territorial roots. Far from being confined to a single venue, it spreads across about twenty partner locations in several municipalities of Grenoble Alpes Métropole and Grésivaudan: galleries, art libraries, bookstores, media libraries, cultural centers, schools, and community spaces all become showcases for contemporary photography. This dispersed geography facilitates encounters between works and diverse audiences, in sometimes unexpected places.
A Biennial Format Since 2023
Since 2023, the festival has adopted a biennial format. Even years host Le Mois de la Photo in its most complete form, with a central group exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture (place de Verdun), an invited artist, and about thirty exhibitions in partner venues. Odd years feature the Journées de la Photo, a more nomadic, event-driven format, without an exhibition at the Musée de Peinture, but with a dense program of events across the metropolis.
A Demanding and Accessible Program
Each edition highlights artists from here and elsewhere, with a particular focus on the regional scene and emerging voices. A call for projects launched in the spring allows for the selection of photographers whose works will be exhibited during the event. Renowned national or international guest artists enrich the program and offer a complementary perspective on the themes addressed.
The program includes photographic exhibitions, screenings, practical workshops, artist talks, photographic walks, conferences, and guided tours. This diversity of formats allows everyone to find their entry point into the world of contemporary photography.
Themes Engaging with the Contemporary World
Over the years, Le Mois de la Photo has explored various themes that question our relationship with the world: the intimate and collective archives (2022), attention (2021), ecological and social transitions (2024). Each theme unites the artistic proposals and helps to weave connections between perspectives, narratives, and territories.
A Commitment to Image Education
True to the mission of La Maison de l'Image, the festival places significant emphasis on mediation and image education. Educational workshops, school programs, and participatory initiatives allow audiences of all ages to learn photographic techniques and develop a critical eye on the images that surround us.
Mois de la Photo — edition 2026
The 14th edition of Le Mois de la Photo will be held in November 2026 in Grenoble, as part of the exceptional Bicentennial of Photography, recognized by the Ministry of Culture. As it's an even year, the festival will return to its full format with a central group exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture and about thirty exhibitions in partner venues across the metropolitan area.
14th Edition of Le Mois de la Photo - Bicentennial of Photography
The 2026 edition of Le Mois de la Photo promises to be an exceptional vintage. In an even year, the festival returns to its full format with the revival of the central group exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture (place de Verdun), a setup that has been the heart and showcase of Le Mois de la Photo since its inception.
The Bicentennial of Photography
This 14th edition is part of the Bicentennial of Photography (2026-2027), a major national celebration recognized by the Ministry of Culture. This anniversary commemorates the creation of the first known photographic image by Nicéphore Niépce and celebrates two centuries of photographic invention, creation, and memory. Le Mois de la Photo Grenoble will contribute to this celebration by offering a program worthy of the event.
An Ambitious Program
Le Mois de la Photo 2026 will feature:
- A central group exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture, curated from a call for projects launched in the spring of 2026
- An invited artist of national or international renown
- About thirty exhibitions in partner venues within the Grenoble metropolitan area and Grésivaudan
- Workshops, screenings, artist talks, photographic walks, and conferences
- An enhanced program of mediation and image education for the Bicentennial
A Unifying Event
As with every major edition, Le Mois de la Photo 2026 will bring together the cultural players of the Grenoble area around photography: galleries, art libraries, art centers, media libraries, higher education institutions, and community spaces will open their doors to host works and audiences. The full program will be announced in the autumn of 2026 on the La Maison de l'Image website.
Programme Mois de la Photo 2026
2026 Program (Coming Soon)
The detailed program for the 14th edition will be announced in the autumn of 2026. The festival will feature:
- Central group exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture (place de Verdun)
- An invited artist of national or international stature
- About thirty exhibitions in partner venues across the metropolitan area
- Practical photography workshops for all audiences
- Screenings and conferences on the subject of images and the history of photography
- Photographic walks and guided tours
- Meetings with the exhibiting artists
A call for projects will be launched in the spring of 2026 for the selection of photographers to be exhibited at the Ancien Musée de Peinture.
Highlights Mois de la Photo 2026
To Remember for 2026
- 14th edition of Le Mois de la Photo in its full format (even year)
- Part of the Bicentennial of Photography (2026-2027), recognized by the Ministry of Culture
- Return of the group exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture
- Approximately thirty exhibitions expected in the Grenoble metropolitan area
- Program to be discovered in autumn 2026 on the La Maison de l'Image website
- Free and open access to all exhibitions
Prices Mois de la Photo 2026
Practical information — Mois de la Photo
Practical Information
Dates and Period
Le Mois de la Photo takes place every year in November, lasting three to four weeks. Even years host the full Mois de la Photo, odd years the Journées de la Photo. Check the official website for precise dates for each edition.
Prices
All exhibitions and the vast majority of events are free and open to all. Some workshops may require prior registration. Entry to the Ancien Musée de Peinture is free for the entire duration of the festival.
Exhibition Venues
The exhibitions are spread across about twenty partner venues throughout the Grenoble metropolitan area:
- Ancien Musée de Peinture (La Plateforme), place de Verdun, Grenoble (central exhibition in even years)
- La Maison de l'Image, 97 galerie de l'Arlequin, Grenoble (organization's headquarters)
- Galleries (Ex-Nihilo, Minimistan, Clik Gallery...)
- Artothèque de Grenoble
- Media libraries and libraries of the metropolitan network
- ESAD Grenoble - Valence
- VOG - Contemporary Art Center of Fontaine
- Cultural centers of Échirolles, Saint-Martin-d'Hères, Seyssins, Saint-Égrève
- Heritage sites of Grésivaudan (Château de la Veyrie, Crolles, Bernin, Villard-Bonnot)
Access and Transport
By tramway: La Maison de l'Image is accessible by tram line A, Arlequin stop. The Ancien Musée de Peinture is served by tram lines A and B, Verdun - Préfecture stop.
By bus: Numerous lines of the TAG network and the TransIsère intercity network serve the various exhibition venues.
By car: Grenoble is accessible via the A48 motorway (from Lyon), A41 (from Chambéry/Geneva), and A51 (from the south). Park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts with tram connections are recommended.
By train: Grenoble station, served by TGV from Paris (3h), Lyon (1h30), and major French cities. The station is connected to the tram network.
Accessibility
Most exhibition venues are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Ancien Musée de Peinture has PMR access. For any specific questions, contact La Maison de l'Image.
Contact and Information
La Maison de l'Image
Le Patio, 2nd floor
97 galerie de l'Arlequin
38100 Grenoble
Phone: 04 76 40 48 37
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.maison-image.fr
Practical Advice
- Download the full program from the La Maison de l'Image website before your visit.
- Allow several days to discover all the exhibitions spread across the territory.
- Register for workshops and guided tours, as places are limited.
- Opening receptions and events are privileged moments to meet the artists.
- Grenoble's November weather can be cool and damp: pack appropriate clothing for traveling between venues.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Mois de la Photo at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Mois de la Photo
La Maison de l'Image et lieux partenaires
97 galerie de l'Arlequin, 38100 Grenoble