The Arles museum of photography: new display of the collections

Arles’ Musée Réattu unveils a new display of its photography collections, with over 200 original prints from around fifty photographers and several slide shows.

2026, photography’s 200th anniversary celebrated in Arles

Photography reaches its bicentenary in 2026. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Culture has opened a major season that runs until the end of 2027. It showcases both early and contemporary work, along with public collections held at national and regional level.

The City of Arles takes part from September 2026 to September 2027. Its programme explores how heritage architecture and photography have interacted since the middle of the 19th century. It also draws attention to the several photographic collections held in the area, among which that of the Musée Réattu is arguably the most distinctive.

A pioneering collection, begun in 1965 in a French art museum

The museum’s photography collection was devised by curator Jean-Maurice Rouquette and photographer Lucien Clergue. Founded in 1965, it was the first of its kind in any art museum in France. Built solely through purchases of fine-art prints, it soon rivalled in prestige the paintings, sculptures and graphic arts that the museum had inherited. It was originally known as the “Section d’Art Photographique” (Photographic Art Section).

Today it holds more than 6,000 prints. Its strength lies in a balance between the major movements in the history of photography (French humanist photography, American “Straight Photography”, reportage, photography as a visual art, experimental work and more) and support for contemporary creation, driven by an active policy of acquisitions and exhibitions.

Over 200 original prints and slide shows

The new display brings together over 200 original prints by about fifty photographers. Several slide shows round off the visit and add further depth to this exceptional collection.