Boutographies Photography Festival 2027 – France

What to expect in 2027

Boutographies Photography Festival is the annual photography festival of Montpellier, dedicated to new European photography and contemporary photographic practices. Organized by the association Grain d’Image, the festival has developed into an important platform for emerging photographers, presenting photographic projects through exhibitions, projections, meetings, portfolio reviews and collaborations with cultural institutions across Montpellier. The festival’s official website describes its mission around discovering and promoting new photographic talent from Europe.

The upcoming edition will continue this approach with exhibitions presented in Montpellier and a programme that extends beyond one central exhibition space. The festival’s current official website already lists a number of exhibition projects for the upcoming edition, including works by Alexandra Dautel, Alexandra Pouzet, Arnaud Laroche, Claire Laude, Emanuela Cherchi, Loes de Boer and Mayte Breed, Olivier Dury, Olivier Gschwend, Martina Zaninelli and others.

The festival is particularly suitable for visitors interested in documentary photography, artistic photography, social subjects, landscapes, memory, identity, environment and experimental visual approaches. Many of the projects combine personal research with broader questions about society, territory, history and human relationships.

Boutographies is also designed to support photographers professionally. Alongside exhibitions, the festival has traditionally provided opportunities for portfolio reviews, meetings with photographers, educational activities and partnerships with photography organizations and cultural institutions.

Event dates

Boutographies Photography Festival 2027 will take place from May 8 to May 30, 2027, in Montpellier, France.

The festival is presented as a multi-location photography event, with the main exhibition activities centred around the Pavillon Populaire and additional projects presented in cultural venues and partner locations throughout Montpellier.

The official programme should be consulted before visiting individual exhibitions because opening hours and access arrangements can differ from one venue to another.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

The principal venue associated with Boutographies is the Pavillon Populaire, located on the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle in central Montpellier. The building is a recognized municipal exhibition venue dedicated particularly to photography and visual arts.

The Pavillon Populaire provides the main setting for major festival presentations, allowing photographic series to be displayed in a professional exhibition environment. Previous festival programmes have used both wall-mounted photographic exhibitions and projection spaces within the building.

The festival also uses a network of partner venues throughout Montpellier. Previous programmes have included the Orangerie of the Jardin des Plantes, Maison de Heidelberg, Faculté des Sciences, Pierresvives, Le Bar à Photo, Le Mur Rouge, Up/Side Town Galerie and outdoor exhibition spaces.

This multi-location structure means that Boutographies can be experienced as a photography route through Montpellier rather than as a single-site event. The final 2027 venue map should be checked through the official festival website for the exact locations of each exhibition.

Full exhibition programme

The 2027 programme already includes numerous exhibition projects officially published on the Boutographies website. These presentations cover a wide variety of photographic approaches and subjects.

Among the confirmed projects published by the festival are:

• White Water – La route de glaces by Charles Xelot, a photographic project presented by the festival as part of its upcoming exhibition programme.
• May You Continue to Blossom by Alexandra Dautel, examining a photographic investigation connected with Neot Semadar and questions surrounding community, utopian ideals and the realities encountered by the photographer.
• Brotherland by Martina Zaninelli, developed with Thomas Jacobs and examining German reunification, memory and violence in the period surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• It is Called Badakhashan by Olivier Dury, focusing on the Pamir region and its landscapes, history and difficult social conditions.
• Serendipity by Olivier Gschwend, based around unexpected discoveries and the relationship between scientific research, failed experiments and photographic investigation.
• Tumbarino by Emanuela Cherchi, documenting ornithological research and migratory birds on the island of Asinara in Sardinia.
• Auto by Loes de Boer and Mayte Breed, bringing together two independent photographic projects connected through driving, movement, memory and observation.
• Intérieurs by Alexandra Pouzet, exploring the relationship between the body and the home as intertwined spaces of intimacy, refuge and confinement.
• Berliner jahrhundertläden by Claire Laude, photographing historic shops and working spaces in Berlin and examining their atmosphere, objects and stories.
• Du point de vue de l’objet by Andrzej Pilichowski-Ragno, using still-life photography to examine ordinary objects and the attempt to find meaning and order in an unstable reality.
• Riturné by Mauro Curti, investigating rural landscapes, territory, family, memory and belonging.

The official website also lists projects including Valérie Vagabonde by Emma Riviera, Arnaud Laroche, and Le Musée d’histoire naturelle de Barcelone by Jean Serra.

Featured artists & designers

Boutographies is primarily a photography festival, so its featured participants are photographers and photographic artists rather than designers.

The official 2027 pages currently identify artists from several European countries, including France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia and the Netherlands. Their projects demonstrate the geographical and thematic diversity that has become central to the festival’s programme.

Notable officially listed artists include Charles Xelot, Alexandra Dautel, Martina Zaninelli, Olivier Dury, Olivier Gschwend, Emanuela Cherchi, Alexandra Pouzet, Claire Laude, Andrzej Pilichowski-Ragno, Mauro Curti, Emma Riviera and Arnaud Laroche.

Their subjects range from landscapes and migration to memory, family, political history, scientific research, urban environments and intimate spaces. The diversity of the projects allows visitors to experience photography through documentary, conceptual, personal and experimental approaches.

Galleries & exhibitors

Boutographies is not organized as a conventional commercial photography fair, so it does not operate primarily through commercial gallery booths. The festival’s exhibitors are principally photographers whose work is selected or programmed by the festival, together with partner institutions, photography spaces, schools and cultural organizations.

The 2027 exhibition pages demonstrate this artist-led structure, with individual projects presented directly through the official Boutographies platform. The programme includes both established photographic practitioners and photographers working on contemporary projects.

The festival’s broader network also involves photography organizations and cultural partners. Previous programmes have included collaborations with institutions such as Fotohaus ParisBerlin, the International Photography Festivals Association, educational institutions and local cultural organizations.

For visitors interested in discovering new photographers, this format provides a different experience from a commercial art fair because the emphasis is on photographic projects and artistic research rather than sales stands.

Exhibition halls & sections

The festival uses several types of exhibition presentation rather than one traditional hall structure.

Main exhibition: The Pavillon Populaire is the principal exhibition setting and provides the central environment for major photographic presentations and projections.

Parallel section: Boutographies has traditionally used a Parallèle section to present additional photographic projects through partner cultural institutions. Previous editions have included presentations at locations such as Pierresvives, Maison de Heidelberg and the Orangerie of the Jardin des Plantes.

Off-site exhibitions: The Hors les Murs programme extends photography into galleries, cultural spaces and outdoor locations throughout Montpellier.

Educational presentations: The festival also works with schools and universities, giving students opportunities to engage with photography through exhibitions and creative projects.

Projection spaces: The festival has traditionally included photographic projections alongside physical exhibitions, providing an alternative way to experience selected photographic series.

The precise 2027 allocation of every project to individual venues should be checked against the official festival map and programme.

Talks, workshops & special events

Boutographies places considerable importance on meetings and professional exchange. Previous programmes have included meetings with photographers, portfolio reviews, conferences, screenings, debates, educational workshops and special events.

Portfolio reviews: Portfolio readings provide photographers with opportunities to show their work to professionals and receive feedback. The festival has used the Salon du Belvédère at the Corum for these professional sessions, with advance registration required in previous programmes.

Artist meetings: Previous editions have organized discussions with selected photographers, allowing visitors to learn more about the background and development of individual projects.

Screenings and debates: The festival has also partnered with cultural organizations for screenings followed by discussions connected with photographic subjects.

Educational activities: Boutographies develops relationships with schools and universities, including writing workshops inspired by photographic exhibitions. Previous projects have involved the Faculté des Sciences and the Université Montpellier Paul-Valéry.

The detailed schedule for every 2027 activity should be checked on the official programme when published.

Ticket types

The 2027 ticket structure has not been fully published. The most recent official festival information identifies the principal Pavillon Populaire exhibition as free admission, equivalent to $0.

Because Boutographies uses several partner venues, admission arrangements can differ depending on the location and activity. Some exhibitions and outdoor presentations may also be freely accessible, while professional activities such as portfolio reviews can require advance registration.

The official festival information should therefore be consulted for the final access conditions attached to each 2027 activity.

There is currently no verified basis for assigning a paid general admission price to the main festival exhibition. Visitors should not rely on unofficial ticket prices unless the organizer publishes them.

VIP & collector access

Boutographies is primarily an artist-focused photography festival rather than a commercial art fair, so VIP and collector access is not the central focus of the event.

The festival does, however, have a professional dimension through portfolio reviews and meetings between photographers and photography professionals. These activities can bring photographers into contact with curators, festival representatives, galleries, agencies, critics and other people working within the photographic sector.

Previous programmes have also involved international photography networks and professional organizations, reinforcing the festival’s role as a place for professional exchange.

No dedicated 2027 VIP or private collector package has been officially announced. Any special professional access should therefore be confirmed directly through Boutographies.

Event rules

Boutographies’ participation rules require photographers entering the festival selection process to have the full rights necessary to exhibit their photographs. The official rules also state that entries must be made directly by photographers rather than through agents.

For visitors, normal exhibition conduct applies throughout the festival. Visitors should respect artworks, exhibition installations, venue instructions and other members of the public.

Photography or recording inside individual exhibition spaces should follow the instructions displayed by the venue or festival. Visitors should not touch photographic works or exhibition equipment unless specifically permitted.

Professional activities such as portfolio reviews may have limited places and advance-registration requirements. Visitors wishing to participate in these activities should follow the official booking instructions rather than assuming general exhibition admission provides access.

How to get there

Boutographies takes place in Montpellier, with the main festival activity centred around the Pavillon Populaire on the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle.

Montpellier is well connected by rail, road and air. Visitors arriving by train can reach central Montpellier and continue to the festival venues using the city’s tram and public transport network.

The city is also served by Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport, providing connections for visitors travelling from other French and European destinations.

Because the festival uses multiple venues, visitors should plan their route according to the specific exhibitions they want to see. The official festival map has previously grouped locations according to main exhibitions, parallel projects and off-site routes.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is particularly useful for visiting Boutographies because many of the exhibition locations are distributed throughout central Montpellier.

Tram: The city’s tram network provides connections to several festival venues. Previous official festival information identified Tram Line 1 for the Pavillon Populaire and several other venues, while additional lines connect locations around the city.

Pavillon Populaire: The venue is accessible from the Corum and Comédie tram stops.

Central venues: Locations including the Orangerie, Maison de Heidelberg, Le Bar à Photo and other partner spaces are served by tram stops within walking distance.

Cycling: Boutographies has encouraged visitors to use lower-impact transport options, including cycling, as part of its environmental approach.

Car: Visitors driving into Montpellier should check municipal parking information and allow additional time when travelling between different festival venues.

Because the festival is spread across the city, public transport can be more practical than moving a car between individual exhibitions.

Accommodation areas

Montpellier offers accommodation ranging from central hotels and guesthouses to apartments and other short-stay options.

Historic city centre: Staying around Écusson provides convenient access to many of the central festival venues, restaurants, cafés and cultural attractions.

Beaux-Arts: The Beaux-Arts district is close to several central cultural locations and has previously featured festival accommodation options.

Boutonnet: The Boutonnet neighbourhood is another practical area for visitors interested in staying close to central Montpellier and public transport.

Antigone: The Antigone district provides modern accommodation and convenient tram connections toward central festival locations.

Boutographies has previously provided information about accommodation options through its own festival visitor resources, including local partner accommodation and host-based options.

Visitors should check current accommodation availability independently because hotel rates and room availability change according to demand.

Food & refreshments

Boutographies is spread across Montpellier, giving visitors access to the city’s extensive café and restaurant scene.

The central areas around the Pavillon Populaire, Écusson, Comédie, Antigone and Beaux-Arts offer numerous cafés, bakeries and restaurants. Visitors can therefore plan meals around their exhibition route rather than relying on a single festival catering area.

Because individual exhibition venues have different operating arrangements, food and refreshment services should not be assumed to be available inside every festival location.

Visitors spending several hours exploring the festival can combine exhibitions with Montpellier’s local restaurants and cafés, particularly around the historic centre and major tram connections.

Accessibility

The Pavillon Populaire is officially identified as accessible to people with disabilities. The festival’s previous visitor information specifically stated that the venue was accessible to people with disabilities.

Because Boutographies uses several different venues, accessibility arrangements can vary from one location to another. Visitors with specific mobility or access requirements should check the individual venue information before travelling.

The festival’s multi-location format means that accessibility planning is particularly important for visitors intending to follow the entire exhibition route.

For specific accessibility questions, visitors can contact the festival directly before attending.

Must-see exhibitions

White Water – La route de glaces: Charles Xelot’s project is one of the officially published exhibition projects for the upcoming edition and focuses on a photographic exploration connected with ice and northern environments.

May You Continue to Blossom: Alexandra Dautel’s project investigates Neot Semadar and the tension between its utopian presentation and the photographer’s later research into the community.

Brotherland: Martina Zaninelli’s project, created with Thomas Jacobs, examines German reunification and the contrasting historical experiences surrounding that period.

Tumbarino: Emanuela Cherchi’s photographs document ornithological activity on Asinara and the rhythms of bird migration, scientific observation and island life.

Auto: Loes de Boer and Mayte Breed present two linked bodies of work exploring movement, driving, memory, observation and the relationship between photographer and driver.

Berliner jahrhundertläden: Claire Laude’s project documents historic Berlin shops and the objects, spaces and stories preserved within them.

It is Called Badakhashan: Olivier Dury’s work focuses on the Pamir region and combines landscape photography with an investigation of difficult historical and social realities.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition continued Boutographies’ long-running focus on new European photography and presented work by photographers from numerous European countries. The festival’s official editorial described a programme involving selected photographers, projections, parallel exhibitions, off-site projects and opportunities to meet artists.

The main exhibition included projects by artists such as Cristóbal Ascencio, Alexandre Bagdassarian, Hannes Jung, Anouchka Renaud-Eck, Alessandro Silverj, Marie Lukasiewicz and Pascal Sgro. A separate jury projection presented additional photographic series selected from the festival’s application pool.

The festival also presented a residency project with photographer Alexandra Frankewitz in collaboration with APF France handicap Occitanie. The project focused on representations of disability and sought to move beyond traditional representations through photographic practice.

Other programme elements included a European school presentation, student and high-school projects, parallel exhibitions, off-site exhibitions, meetings with photographers, portfolio reviews and educational activities.

These elements demonstrate the festival’s broad structure: it is not limited to a single exhibition, but connects emerging photography with education, professional exchange, cultural partnerships and public engagement.

Official tickets

The official Boutographies website is the authoritative source for admission arrangements and registration for festival activities.

The most recent official visitor information identifies the Pavillon Populaire exhibition as free admission, while professional activities such as portfolio reviews may operate through advance registration.

The final 2027 information should be checked before visiting individual venues because access conditions can differ between the main exhibition, partner exhibitions, professional activities and special events.

For general enquiries, Boutographies lists +33 6 15 49 04 53 and contact@boutographies.com.