Présence(s) Photographie Festival
Photography festival in the Rhône valley in Ardèche
About Présence(s) Photographie
Author Photography in Heritage Sites
Created in 2014, the Présence(s) Photographie festival has established itself as a major event for author photography in the South of France. Located in the middle Rhône valley, on both sides of the river, around Montélimar, Le Teil, and Viviers, the festival takes over remarkable heritage sites to host high-quality photographic exhibitions: restored chapels, public gardens, art centers, galleries, and media libraries.
La Caravane-Monde: A Space Dedicated to Photography
At the heart of the festival, La Caravane-Monde, the former restored Protestant temple in Le Teil, has become a cultural space dedicated to photography. Located at 45 rue Kléber in Le Teil, this venue offers an ambitious annual program focused on international photography, fostering encounters between renowned photographers and emerging artists. The Chapelle Chabrillan in Montélimar is another emblematic venue of the festival.
A Humanistic Ambition
Présence(s) Photographie aims to offer everyone vibrant, high-quality author photography centered around Humanity. The festival prioritizes photojournalism, documentary photography, and engaged artistic photography, offering sensitive perspectives on the contemporary world. Open-air exhibitions, accessible free of charge, extend the festival experience until September, reaching the summer audience.
Encounters and Screenings
Beyond exhibitions, the festival features encounters with photographers, screenings, guided tours, and photography workshops. The Miroir France-Japon project, which creates a dialogue between French and Japanese photographers, exemplifies the festival's international dimension. Among the featured photographers are artists like Yamamoto Masao and Michel Setboun, who presented "Fifty Years of Photography" for the 10th-anniversary edition.
Présence(s) Photographie — edition 2026
The 13th edition of the Présence(s) Photographie festival takes place from May 23 to June 21, 2026, between Le Teil, Montélimar, Viviers, and several villages in the middle Rhône Valley. Under the theme "Quel usage du monde" (What use of the world) — in homage to the Swiss writer, traveler, and photographer Nicolas Bouvier — this edition highlights contemporary Swiss photographic creation through the perspectives of 13 photographers. The free-access exhibitions occupy public gardens, heritage sites, and cultural spaces, with outdoor installations extended until autumn.
13th Edition (2026) — "Quel usage du monde"
For its 13th edition, from May 23 to June 21, 2026, the Présence(s) Photographie festival honors contemporary Swiss photography. The theme "Quel usage du monde" (What use of the world) pays tribute to the Swiss writer, traveler, and photographer Nicolas Bouvier and his narrative L'Usage du monde (1963). The exhibitions can be discovered by wandering through the streets of Montélimar, Le Teil, Viviers, and many villages on both banks of the Rhône.
Featured Swiss Photographers
Thirteen Swiss photographers explore the edition's theme: Nicolas Righetti, Niels Ackermann & Sébastien Gobert, Steeve Iuncker, Elisa Larvego, Romain Mader, Michael von Graffenried, Laurence Rasti, Christian Lutz, Eddy Mottaz, Nicolas Faure, Zalmaï Ahad, Zoé Aubry, and Jean Revillard. The collective "Une Photo par Jour" (One Photo a Day) completes the program.
Nicolas Bouvier at the Museum of Contemporary Art
The exhibition "Nicolas Bouvier: Voyages au levant" (Journeys to the Levant) is presented at the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montélimar-Agglomération, extended until autumn 2026.
Meetings, Conferences, and Screenings
The edition is enriched with numerous conferences, round tables, and meetings with cultural world actors. As every year, the festival welcomes about fifteen photographers for the "Grand Écran" (Big Screen) screenings organized in several cinemas in the area: Le Regain (Le Teil), Les Templiers (Montélimar), and Le Ciné (Cruas).
Programme Présence(s) Photographie 2026
Festival from May 23 to June 21, 2026 — daily
Theme: "Quel usage du monde" (What use of the world), contemporary Swiss photography, in homage to Nicolas Bouvier.
Featured Swiss Photographers (Présence(s) Suisse)
- Nicolas Righetti
- Niels Ackermann & Sébastien Gobert
- Steeve Iuncker
- Elisa Larvego
- Romain Mader
- Michael von Graffenried
- Laurence Rasti
- Christian Lutz
- Eddy Mottaz
- Nicolas Faure
- Zalmaï Ahad
- Zoé Aubry
- Jean Revillard
- Collective "Une Photo par Jour"
Major Exhibition
- "Nicolas Bouvier: Voyages au levant" — Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montélimar-Agglomération (extended until autumn 2026)
Exhibition Venues
- Montélimar: public garden, theater esplanade, media library, conservatory, Tourist Office, Museum of Contemporary Art
- Le Teil: Parc Laparel, La Caravane-Monde (45 rue Kléber)
- Meysse: former Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, La Fabrique de l'Image
- Viviers: marina, viewpoint
"Grand Écran" Screenings
About fifteen photographers presented in screenings at the cinemas: Le Regain (Le Teil), Les Templiers (Montélimar), Le Ciné (Cruas).
Highlights Présence(s) Photographie 2026
- 2026 Theme: "Quel usage du monde" (What use of the world), homage to Nicolas Bouvier
- 13 contemporary Swiss photographers exhibited
- Exhibition "Voyages au levant" by Nicolas Bouvier at the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montélimar
- Free-access exhibitions in Le Teil, Montélimar, Viviers, Meysse, and villages of the Rhône Valley
- "Grand Écran" screenings in local cinemas
Prices Présence(s) Photographie 2026
Practical information — Présence(s) Photographie
Practical Information
Access
By car: Le Teil is located on the right bank of the Rhône, 5 km from Montélimar. From Montélimar, cross the Rhône by bridge. La Caravane-Monde is at 45 rue Kléber, 07400 Le Teil.
By train: Montélimar station (TGV), then bus or taxi to Le Teil (5 km).
Opening Hours
Main festival in May-June. Open-air exhibitions extended until September. Caravane-Monde open on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival.
Prices
Exhibitions are free and open to all.
Contact
Présence(s) Photographie Association
La Caravane-Monde, 45 rue Kléber, 07400 Le Teil
Website: www.presences-photographie.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Présence(s) Photographie
La Caravane-Monde (ancien temple protestant du Teil)
45 rue Kléber, 07400 Le Teil