Les Rencontres Photographiques

Les Rencontres Photographiques: Author Photography in an Exceptional Village

The Rencontres Photographiques was launched in 2024 in Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, a village classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, nestled in the south of Indre. This author photography festival takes over the remarkable setting of the priory and the village's heritage sites for about ten days, offering a rich and demanding program centered around the image.

Exhibitions and Meetings with Photographers

Each edition hosts a selection of invited photographers who present their work in carefully curated exhibitions. Visitors discover unique perspectives on the world through diverse photographic series: reportage, portrait, landscape, documentary photography, and artistic creation. Photographers are present to interact with the public, share their process and vision during conferences and informal meetings.

Workshops, Portfolio Reviews, and Conferences

The festival offers a complete program of photography workshops for all levels, from beginners to experienced amateurs. Portfolio reviews allow emerging photographers to submit their work for professional critique. Conferences and presentations of photographic works enrich the cultural program.

The Rurbex Contest: Exploring Abandoned Rural Locations

One of the festival's unique features is the Rurbex contest, a contraction of "rural" and "urbex" (urban exploration). This contest invites photographers to explore and photograph abandoned rural locations: deserted farms, forgotten factories, ruined buildings in the heart of the countryside. The first edition of the contest in 2024 had the theme "Nature Reclaims Its Rights". Prizes reward the best images: fine art prints on Dibond and cash awards.

A Festival Rooted in its Territory

Les Rencontres Photographiques is part of a commitment to foster photographic culture in rural areas. By utilizing the heritage sites of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, the festival creates a dialogue between contemporary art and the village's exceptional architectural heritage. Workshops for children and school interventions demonstrate the event's educational dimension, aiming to raise awareness among younger generations about photographic practice and vision.

With its quality exhibitions, privileged encounters with photographers, and innovative contest, Les Rencontres Photographiques is establishing itself as a must-attend event for author photography in the Centre-Val de Loire region.