From photography and design to fashion, the South of France is buzzing this summer with major exhibitions. From Arles to Montpellier, via Toulouse and Marseille, and all the way to the charming village of Lacoste in Luberon, our summer destinations are transforming into vibrant cultural hubs. Here is a look at five must-see artistic events to add to your calendar without delay.
The Rencontres d’Arles Photography Festival
From July 6 to October 4
It is the annual pilgrimage for photography lovers. Since 1970, the Rencontres d’Arles have celebrated and preserved the world’s photographic heritage while establishing themselves as a leading platform for contemporary creation. This summer, no fewer than forty exhibitions take over the city’s remarkable historic venues, creating a unique artistic trail through the heart of the ancient city.
Not to be missed:
- “Ghana! Dreaming Independence, 1957-1976”: A fascinating exploration of the visual energy and optimism of a nation reinventing itself in the years following independence.
- Bruno Boudjelal – “Goudron-Tanger Le Cap”: An intense and deeply human photographic journey across the African continent.
- Print LUMA: An exhibition exploring memory and transformation.
André Leon Talley: The Fashion Icon Takes Over the Luberon
From June 15 to September 26
It is an unexpected fashion stop in the heart of Luberon. The SCAD FASH Lacoste campus is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the legendary American journalist who passed away in 2022. A former editor-at-large and longtime pillar of Vogue US, he was Anna Wintour’s trusted confidant and right-hand man. With prose as sharp as his flamboyant style, he became one of the most respected and influential figures in the fashion world of the 20th century.
The exhibition pays tribute to this fashion giant through an intimate journey, featuring striking life-sized silhouettes that reflect his towering presence (he stood nearly two meters tall), exclusive photographs, and personal belongings filled with memories.
Mossi Traoré at the Mucem: Fashion and Urban Culture in Marseille
Until November 16
Parisian designer Mossi Traoré is collaborating for the second time with the Marseille institution overlooking the Old Port. With the exhibition “Mossi Traoré, la mode aussi” (Mossi Traoré: Fashion Too), the designer invites visitors to an immersive experience. An ideal way to stay cool during the hottest summer days.
On display are beautifully crafted garments, but above all, a deep dive into the designer’s inspirations. The exhibition forges strong connections with Marseille through subtle references to football and street art, celebrating fashion as a powerful form of cultural and social expression.
Pierre Paulin: Design at Its Finest at the Musée Fabre in Montpellier
From June 27 to November 1
It is a posthumous homecoming. Furniture designer Pierre Paulin, widely regarded as one of the most influential and visionary designers of the 20th century, passed away in Montpellier in 2009. This summer, the Musée Fabre pays tribute to his remarkable legacy with a major retrospective tracing his exceptional career. Bringing together the designer’s most iconic creations, the exhibition explores how his work both embodied and redefined the richness of design as a diverse and ever-evolving discipline. For Paulin, design was always conceived first and foremost in the service of people.
The exhibition places Paulin’s creations within the cultural and historical context in which they were conceived. Visitors can admire his most iconic designs, including the Mushroom Chair (1959), the Ribbon Chair (1966), and the celebrated Tongue Chair (1968). It is a rare opportunity to discover why his work remains highly sought after and continues to captivate some of the world’s biggest stars.
“Jean-Charles de Castelbajac: Imagination to Power” at Les Abattoirs, Toulouse
Until August 23
A true original, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac takes over Les Abattoirs, Toulouse’s museum of contemporary art. Since the late 1960s, his work has left a lasting mark on both fashion and art history. Through a captivating thematic journey, the exhibition “Imagination to Power” brings together nearly 300 works, including statement garments, design objects, drawings, and photographs. It is an invitation to explore the many facets of an artist whose boundless creativity is instantly recognizable through his signature, pared-back color palette of blue, yellow, and red.
This retrospective crowns an extraordinary international career. Castelbajac’s work has previously been showcased at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York (1986), the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (2006), and the Palais Galliera in Paris (2007). The exhibition also highlights his role as a creative trailblazer, from designing two memorable collections for Courrèges in 1993 to redefining the brand identity of United Colors of Benetton as its artistic director from 2018 to 2022. It is a vibrant celebration of color, creativity, and fearless design.
Whether you are passionate about haute couture, fascinated by design, or an avid photography enthusiast, the South of France is the ultimate open-air gallery this season. Between a dip in the Mediterranean and a stroll through the countryside, these five cultural highlights offer a refreshing, inspiring, and wonderfully creative escape. All that is left to do is plan your itinerary.
