Mer'veilles Nature - Photo Festival

5th Edition — May 15 to 17, 2026

The 5th edition of Mer'veilles Nature took place from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2026 at the Halle de Mer (Loir-et-Cher), from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM each day. An entirely free festival, this edition confirmed its position as the leading wildlife and nature photography festival in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

16 Photographers and a Guest Collective

The 2026 edition brought together sixteen naturalist photographers as well as the collective La Team Inspirations. Among the confirmed guests: Éric Barotte, Axelle and Bertrand Bayer, Christian Bulle, Christian Delastre, Patrick and Céline Désormais, Anthony Dugousset, Gilles Duperron, Patrick Gaillard, Francis Rousset, as well as regional photographers Gérard Fauvet, Fabrice Guérin, Karine Laurioux, and Phil Léger. The emblem image of the 5th edition was a photograph of a gorilla hand signed by Fabrice Guérin.

Three Artistic Expressions Beyond Photography

For this 5th edition, the festival expanded its program to include three non-photographer artists — an illustrator, a painter, and a naturalist set designer — invited to share their unique perspective on living things alongside the photographic exhibitions.

A Cycle of Free Video Conferences

A dozen free video conferences were organized in the Pierre Tournois room of the Cercle Laïque, led by the invited photographers and naturalists. Topics covered ranged from butterfly migration to free dragonflies, as well as mountain birds and subaquatic life.

School Activities and Partner Associations

Friday, May 15 was dedicated to welcoming school groups (educational program in place since 2024). The four partner naturalist associations — LPO, Société française des orchidophiles (SFO), Société d'histoire naturelle de Blois (SHN), and Maison de la Loire du Loir-et-Cher — presented their field actions and offered educational activities throughout the weekend.

Friday, May 15, 2026 — Opening & School Day

• Halle de Mer · 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM · Opening of exhibitions by 16 invited photographers and the La Team Inspirations collective · Free admission
• Video conferences · Pierre Tournois room of the Cercle Laïque · Free
• Welcome for school groups (educational program)
• Stands of partner associations: LPO, SFO, SHN Blois, Maison de la Loire du Loir-et-Cher

Saturday, May 16, 2026

• Halle de Mer · 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM · Photographic exhibitions (16 photographers + La Team Inspirations + 3 non-photographer artists)
• Video conference cycle · Pierre Tournois room of the Cercle Laïque · Topics covered throughout the weekend: butterfly migration, free dragonflies, mountain birds, subaquatic life
• Meetings and discussions with photographers present at their exhibitions
• Association activities (LPO, SFO, SHN Blois, Maison de la Loire)

Sunday, May 17, 2026 — Closing

• Halle de Mer · 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM · Last day of exhibitions
• Continuation of video conferences in the Pierre Tournois room of the Cercle Laïque
• Book signings and meetings with photographers

Invited Photographers (2026 edition)

• Éric Barotte
• Axelle & Bertrand Bayer
• Christian Bulle
• Christian Delastre
• Patrick & Céline Désormais
• Anthony Dugousset
• Gilles Duperron
• Gérard Fauvet (regional)
• Patrick Gaillard
• Fabrice Guérin (emblem image 2026)
• Karine Laurioux (regional)
• Phil Léger (regional)
• Francis Rousset
• Collectif La Team Inspirations

Highlights of the 2026 Edition

• 5th edition of the festival, confirming its local roots since 2022
• 16 invited naturalist photographers + the collective La Team Inspirations
• Emblem image of the edition: gorilla hand signed by Fabrice Guérin
• 12 free video conferences in the Pierre Tournois room of the Cercle Laïque
• Expansion to include 3 non-photographer artists (illustrator, painter, naturalist set designer)
• Friday dedicated to welcoming school groups
• 4 partner associations: LPO, SFO, SHN Blois, Maison de la Loire du Loir-et-Cher
• 100% free festival (exhibitions, conferences, activities)