Saint-Sever Photo Cité
Festival of photography and vintage cinema in Saint-Sever
About Photo Cité
Saint-Sever Photo Cité is a photography festival organized every May in Saint-Sever by Les Amis du Cap de Gascogne. For six days, the Couvent des Jacobins and the town host exhibitions, meetings with French and international photographers, cyanotype workshops, a vintage photo and cinema fair, and "Les Chambres à la Rue" where photographers work with large-format cameras in the streets. The only event of its kind in the Landes region, it celebrates photography in all its forms.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Photo Cité at the best price.
Sponsored link
Saint-Sever Photo Cité: Photography Celebrated at the Couvent des Jacobins
Saint-Sever Photo Cité is the only photography festival in the Landes region, organized annually in May in the prestigious setting of the Couvent des Jacobins in Saint-Sever. Created in 2021 by the association Les Amis du Cap de Gascogne, this festival has become, in just a few editions, a must-attend event for photography enthusiasts and professionals in the Southwest.
A Three-Part Program
The festival is divided into three complementary parts. The first part features photographer exhibitions in the listed Couvent des Jacobins site, showcasing French and international artists, particularly those working with large-format cameras. Visitors can interact directly with the photographers and discover their artistic approach.
"Les Chambres à la Rue" (Rooms on the Street)
The "Les Chambres à la Rue" program is one of the festival's unique features. Photographers set up their large-format photographic cameras in the streets of Saint-Sever, replicating the principle of old traveling studios. Passersby are invited to have their portraits taken as in the days of photography pioneers, creating a unique link between historical heritage and contemporary creation.
The Vintage Photo and Cinema Fair
The third part is a vintage photo and cinema fair, a true living museum of the history of photography and cinema. Collectors and enthusiasts exhibit and offer for sale exceptional vintage cameras, period prints, projectors, and cinematographic equipment.
Workshops for Beginners
The festival offers cyanotype workshops, one of the earliest photographic reproduction processes, allowing visitors to create their own Prussian blue print and take it home. These introductory workshops are open to all audiences, including children.
Commitment to Photographic Diversity
Since its 5th edition in 2025, the festival has paid particular attention to the representation of women photographers and highlighting the diversity of photographic practices, from documentary photography to experimental creation.
Practical information — Photo Cité
Main Venue
The festival takes place at the Couvent des Jacobins in Saint-Sever, a 13th-century listed historic monument, and in the streets of the town center for the "Les Chambres à la Rue" program. The Couvent des Jacobins offers an exceptional setting for photographic exhibitions, with its vaulted halls and medieval cloister with elegant arcades.
Access
By Car
Saint-Sever is accessible via the D933 from Mont-de-Marsan (15 min) and the D933 from Dax (40 min). The town is also reachable from the A65 motorway (exit Aire-sur-l'Adour, then D933). Free parking is available in the town center, in immediate proximity to the Couvent des Jacobins.
By Train
The nearest train station is Mont-de-Marsan, a 15-minute drive away. Regional TER trains serve Mont-de-Marsan from Bordeaux and Dax. Local transport connects Saint-Sever from the station.
Opening Hours
The festival is open from 9 AM to 6 PM throughout the event (6 days). The vintage photo and cinema fair takes place on the last two days (Saturday and Sunday), during the same hours. "Les Chambres à la Rue" are visible in the town center streets during the festival's opening hours.
Prices
Admission is completely free for visitors, for both the exhibitions at the Couvent des Jacobins and the vintage photo and cinema fair. Cyanotype workshops are offered free of charge. Exhibitors at the fair contribute €10 per 2-meter table.
Cyanotype Workshops
The cyanotype workshops allow participants to discover one of the earliest photographic processes. Participants create their own Prussian blue print and take it home. Workshops are open to all audiences, including children. Registration on-site subject to availability.
Accessibility
The Couvent des Jacobins is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility. Ground-floor exhibitions are wheelchair accessible. For any specific questions, please contact the organizers before your visit.
Contact
Association Les Amis du Cap de Gascogne
Phone: 05 58 76 34 64
Landes Chalosse Tourist Office: 05 58 76 34 64
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Photo Cité at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Photo Cité
Couvent des Jacobins
Couvent des Jacobins, 40500 Saint-Sever