Let's Go To The Sea With Doisneau : A Photo Exhibition In La Rochelle
A humanist photographer, Robert Doisneau is famous for his portraits and images of old Paris. Less well known are the photographs he devoted to the French coastline and the maritime world. With the exhibition entitled 'Allons voir la mer avec Doisneau' (Let's go to the sea with Doisneau), the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle invites you to discover these little-known images.
Seaside atmosphere at the Maritime Museum
Throughout the summer, the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle is exhibiting Robert Doisneau's maritime images.
By visiting the exhibition Let's go to the sea with Doisneau, you will be able to discover, among other things, the holiday photos of the famous photographer's children.
Among the hundred or so photos on display are indeed the images taken when the artist came on holiday with his family on the island of Ré during the summer of 1946.
During this stay, the photographer took a look at the old port of La Rochelle.
Although these images constitute a little-known facet of Doisneau's work, they demonstrate that the famous photographer often immortalized the French coastline, from Normandy to the French Riviera, and more particularly in La Rochelle, Royan and on the island of Ré.
Images with a mischievous sense of humour
The exhibition 'Allons voir la mer avec Doisneau' bears witness to family Seaside holidays but also to the rise of Seaside tourism in the 1950s and 1960s.
These images also show the photographer's interest in fishermen, whether tuna fishermen in the Basque country or sardine fishermen in Brittany.
The author of the famous Baiser de l'Hôtel de Ville immortalized them with the same empathy and benevolence as this famous Couple of lovers...
The artist, who considered himself a 'fisher of images', walked his curious eye through the ports and beaches and captured there as if by chance images not devoid of humour.
There is indeed a good dose of mischievous humour and tenderness in the portrait of the woman with the straw hat photographed from behind on the Beach of Les Sables d'Olonne next to a bag... wearing the same hat as her!
A tour of France's coastline
After the publication of a book on this theme in 2018, the exhibition 'Allons voir la mer avec Doisneau' will undertake a tour of the French coastline.
La Rochelle is only the first city-stop of this photographic project.
At each stop, the public will be able to discover 85 original prints, as well as a selection of photos more specifically related to the exhibition's host city.
Practical information
The exhibition 'Allons voir la mer avec Doisneau' is held at the Musée Maritime de La Rochelle until November 1, 2021.
Address
La Rochelle Maritime Museum
Place Bernard Moitessier
17000 La Rochelle
Tel : 05 46 28 03 00
Access to the museum is on presentation of the health pass in digital or paper version.
Prices
For the complete visit of the museum, i.e. the permanent exhibitions and the temporary exhibitions:
- Adult: 11 €
- Young people aged 4 to 18: €8.50
- Family (two young people and two adults): €7.50 per person
To visit the temporary exhibitions only:
- Adults: €7.50
- Young people from 4 to 18 years old: 6 €.
Free for students, RSA holders, jobseekers, disabled people and their companions, and for everyone on the first Sunday of each month (except in July and August).
