First Photograph in History Returns to France for Photography's Bicentennial

Key facts

• The first photograph, 'Point de vue du Gras', created by Nicéphore Niépce in August 1827, will return to France for the bicentennial of photography.
• The photograph has been held at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas, and has not been in France since 1827.
• It will be exhibited at the Musée Nicéphore-Niépce in Chalon-sur-Saône from late April 2027.
• The exhibition is titled 'L'empreinte d'Hélios. 1826–1827, Niépce invente la photographie'.
• The bicentennial celebrations run from September 2026 to September 2027, with over 1,000 labeled projects.
• Dominique de Font-Réaulx, president of the scientific committee, emphasized the goal of making photographers' viewpoints visible.
• The 'LUX Tour' is a traveling photography studio caravan that will visit festivals and fairs of the LUX network.
• A public commission 'Réinventer la photographie' supports fifteen contemporary photographers, with works entering national collections.
• A book titled 'Photographies' is co-published by the Ministry of Culture and GrandPalaisRmn.