Le Mois de la Photo
Contemporary photography festival of the Grenoble metropolitan area
About Mois de la Photo
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 the Mois de la Photo will take place from November 7 to 29, 2026, in Grenoble, on the theme « Souffles du monde. Cadrage, décadrage ». In even-numbered years, the festival returns to its full format, structured around a central collective exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture and about thirty exhibitions in partner venues throughout the urban area. The edition is labeled as part of the Bicentenary of Photography.
14th edition of Mois de la Photo - « Souffles du monde »
The 2026 edition of Mois de la Photo, taking place from November 7 to 29, 2026, features the theme « Souffles du monde. Cadrage, décadrage ». La Maison de l'Image invites photographers to question what an image reveals and what it conceals: « An image never shows everything: it frames, it chooses, it excludes. » The theme explores what circulates, resists, and transforms our ways of inhabiting the world, amidst ecological upheavals, intimate narratives, and collective dynamics. All photographic styles are welcome: documentary, artistic, or experimental.
The Bicentenary of Photography
This 14th edition is part of the Bicentenary of Photography (2026-2027), a major national celebration labeled by the Ministère de la Culture. This anniversary commemorates Nicéphore Niépce's creation of the first known photographic image, and celebrates two centuries of photographic invention, creation, and memory.
A central exhibition and about thirty venues
In even-numbered years, the festival returns to its full format with the return of the central collective exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture (place de Verdun), the heart and showcase of Mois de la Photo. The program then extends across the entire territory, in about thirty partner venues in the Grenoble metropolitan area and the Grésivaudan: galleries, art libraries, art centers, media libraries, higher education institutions, and associative spaces.
A call for projects for the central exhibition
A call for projects was launched in spring 2026 (closed on May 24, 2026) to select the photographers exhibited at the Ancien Musée de Peinture. The detailed program, with the selected artists and the schedule of events (exhibitions, screenings, workshops, photographic walks, meetings, and conferences), will be unveiled in autumn 2026 on 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
Key points for 2026
- 14th edition of Mois de la Photo in full format (even-numbered year)
- Theme « Souffles du monde. Cadrage, décadrage »
- From November 7 to 29, 2026 in Grenoble and its urban area
- Part of the Bicentenary of Photography (2026-2027) labeled by the Ministère de la Culture
- Return of the collective exhibition at the Ancien Musée de Peinture
- About thirty exhibitions in the Grenoble metropolitan area
- Detailed program to be discovered in autumn 2026 on La Maison de l'Image website
- Free admission for 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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Where does it take place — Mois de la Photo
La Maison de l'Image et lieux partenaires
97 galerie de l'Arlequin, 38100 Grenoble