France to celebrate 200 Years of Photography in 2026-2027

Mrs Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, called for a great and festive celebration of the bicentenary of photography throughout France, to honour the invention and photographic heritage for more than a year.

Frenchman Nicéphore Niépce took the first extant permanent photograph which is dated 1826-1827 and which marks his invention.

Rachida Dati announced the creation of a scientific committee which will support the Ministry of Culture in defining the major scientific and artistic activities for the bicentenary. It will be led by Dominique de Font-Reaulx, an art historian specializing in the nineteenth century and photography, and a general curator at the Louvre Museum. The scientific committee is composed of recognised experts in photography and images: Eléonore Challine, Alexia Fabre Michel Poivert, Pierre Singaravelou, and Antonio Somaini. 

The committee will appraoch all those involved in photography, from the institutions supported by the Ministry of Culture, to professional networks and artistic venues, in order to bring this festival as close as possible to the public, and geographically across France. They will participate in the development and implementation of a very diverse programme: exhibitions, screenings, publications, meetings, etc. Exhibitions will contribute to enriching the way we look at the medium, in its heritage senses to the most experimental.

Mrs. Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, commented: 'Born in France two hundred years ago, photography is now part of our daily lives, especially that of young people. I call on all those involved in photography to imagine together a great popular and festive event, with all audiences, everywhere in France. From daguerreotypes to selfies, the bicentenary of photography is an invitation to celebrate the history of this major art in France through our unique collections, but also to show the diversity of the most contemporary creation'.

The scientific committee of the bicentenary of photography noted: "The celebration of the first photograph is a wonderful opportunity to retrace the major stages in the evolution of this art – from Niépce's heliography to digital images – to honour its creators, from 1826 to today, but also to bring us together around common and singular images. Photography has gradually become one of the most democratic artistic expressions. For two hundred years, it has been writing our common history.'

Main Image: The first photo, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce 'View from the Window at Le Gras, c. 1826'