There are quite a few photography exhibitions on in Provence right now….let’s head west first to the ones in Arles.
The Musée Reattu, which is building a formidable collection of photography is currently exhibiting ‘Anatomie du Paysage’, 130 natural or urban landscapes from some well-known photographers. This museum is in itself worth visiting – it’s in an ancient Knights Templars’ building with marvellous views of the Rhone from its windows at the back. http://musee-reattu.arles.fr/anatomie-du-paysage.html. Until 11th June.
Arles has powered itself to pre-eminence in international photography, and has had a massive boost with the news that the Zurich-based nonprofit LUMA Foundation are to house the archives of
American photographer Annie Leibovitz. Based on this, there will be an exhibition ‘Annie Leibovitz Archive Project #1: The Early Years’. It will include her early work of portraits she did as a Rolling Stone photographer. She covered the pop world of John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the Stones, as well as an Apollo launch, the resignation of Richard Nixon and the comings and goings in Hollywood. Le Figaro called her ‘La Reine du Glamour’.
The show opens on May 27th at the new Parc des Ateliers. Read about it here: https://aixcentric.com/2016/05/25/changes-to-arles-skyline/
Of course the photographic action in Arles really starts in the summer with the Les Rencontres d’Arles festival of photography, now in its 48th year. It is truly massive, with 32 shows taking over venues throughout the town. This year there will be an emphasis on Columbian and 
Iranian photography, as well as satellite shows in Avignon (Collection Lambert), Marseille (FRAC) and Toulon (Hotel des Arts). Here is a very detailed press pack if you would like to know more: press-kit-arles-2017-les-rencontres-de-la-photographie
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