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New Centre de la Photographie Opens in Mougins, Riviera Photography Hub

institutional · 2026-04-27

In July 2021, the Centre de la photographie was launched in Mougins, a village on the French Riviera celebrated for its artistic legacy. Located in a refurbished presbytery, this center promotes contemporary photography and emerging artists. The design, created by Griesmar Architectes in collaboration with Atelier Gabrielli Architecture and Agence HA, respects the medieval surroundings. The institution is headed by artistic director François Cheval and director Yasmine Chemali. Its inaugural exhibition showcased Isabel Muñoz, followed by "L'amour toujours" (running until January 30, 2022), featuring works by Jenny Rova and Natasha Caruana that delve into themes of love and relationships. Mougins also has a photographic history associated with André Villers and displays a 2.4-meter Picasso head by Gabriël Sterk, installed in 2018.

Key facts

  • Centre de la photographie opened in July 2021 in Mougins, France
  • Housed in a renovated former presbytery
  • Designed by Griesmar Architectes, Atelier Gabrielli Architecture, and Agence HA
  • Artistic director: François Cheval (former director of Musée Nicéphore Niépce)
  • Director: Yasmine Chemali (former head of modern and contemporary art at Sursock Museum, Beirut)
  • Opening exhibition featured Isabel Muñoz
  • Second exhibition 'L'amour toujours' runs until January 30, 2022
  • Exhibition features Jenny Rova and Natasha Caruana

Entities

Artists

  • Pablo Picasso
  • André Villers
  • Isabel Muñoz
  • Jenny Rova
  • Natasha Caruana
  • Gabriël Sterk
  • Jean Cocteau
  • Fernand Léger
  • Man Ray
  • Francis Picabia
  • Christian Dior
  • Yves Saint-Laurent
  • Benjamin Seymour Guinness
  • Loel Guinness
  • Winston Churchill
  • Lucien Clergue
  • Davide Rivalta

Institutions

  • Centre de la photographie
  • Musée de la photographie André Villers
  • Musée Nicéphore Niépce
  • Museum of Photography of Lianzhou
  • Sursock Museum
  • Griesmar Architectes
  • Atelier Gabrielli Architecture
  • Agence HA
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Mougins
  • France
  • Cannes
  • Grasse
  • French Riviera
  • Costa Azzurra
  • Mas Notre-Dame-de-Vie
  • Porte Sarrazine
  • Chalon-sur-Saône
  • Lianzhou
  • China
  • Beirut
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom

Sources