Arles' Top 5 Spots to Explore During the Rencontres de la Photographie

During the Rencontres d'Arles, visitors can explore a curated list of five notable addresses in Arles, France, offering respite between exhibitions. The list includes Vague, a hybrid space initiated by Japanese designer Teruhiro Yanagihara and his studio TYS, housed in the 17th-century Hôtel de Grille, featuring an exhibition of Japanese photographers Rinko Kawauchi and Tokuko Ushioda on motherhood and family life. Another highlight is the Louis Vuitton pop-up bookstore at the wine bar Le Buste et l'Oreille, showcasing the City Guide d'Arles with photographs by Flore-Aël Surun and Guillaume Blot, along with the 'Fashion Eye' collection, including recent volumes on Ibiza by Lachlan Bailey and Bucharest by Paul Kooiker. The historic Grand Hôtel Nord-Pinus, purchased by collector Maja Hoffmann in 2022 and redesigned by stylist Duro Olowu, offers dining by chef Antonio Altamura and the bar Le Cintra overlooking Place du Forum, immortalized by Vincent van Gogh. The Actes Sud bookstore, a cultural hub with a cinema and hammam, and the boutique Moustique, founded by Brigitte Benkemoun-Demaizière and Sylvie Demaizière, showcasing local Camargue artisans, complete the list. These spots provide a blend of art, culture, and local flavor, enhancing the festival experience.