Montpellier is often idealized as a Mediterranean escape. Through the lens of a local photographer, as outsiders, we can peer into everyday life and discover the passion that fuels this lively city.
Recently on display at Les Échelles de la Ville, the photography exhibition Les Montpelliérains brings together a collection of photographs by photojournalist Jean-Michel Mart. Spanning 34 years of photography, the exhibition also serves as a tribute to press photography as well as the reporters and editors who accompanied him throughout his career.
The exposition features both small, intimate moments and larger key moments in the city’s history, including many action shots. The style is largely candid, with only a few staged portraits, reinforcing a sense of authenticity found in this city.
The perspective of an outsider
As someone who recently moved to Montpellier, this exhibition challenged the romanticized image I once had of the South of France: one often associated with the beaches and an relaxed, idyllic lifestyle. While a few images do capture these moments of leisure, the overall portrayal feels far more grounded and real. Through Jean-Michel Mart’s lens, Montpellier appears more everyday and authentic.
There is the emphasis on diversity, across ages, backgrounds, and experiences and the audience quickly understands that no subject is off-limits. Certain images are unexpected, even uncomfortable, touching on themes like safe injection sites or loneliness in care homes. These are aspects of the city that a visitor might never encounter, yet they provide you with a different, unfiltered perspective of the city.
A sense of passion
What emerges most strongly is a sense of passion. As a foreigner, I had often associated French passion with romance or love, but here it takes many forms: joy, celebration, music, and festivity, alongside protest and activism. There is a palpable energy, particularly seen in the photographs with the youth, that runs through the exhibition.
As a viewer, and in particular a newcomer to the city, there is a clear sense of being an outsider looking in. This exhibition feels as though it is made for the people of Montpellier. In that regard, it provides a unique glimpse into the local way of life, in all its complexity. Described as “a love letter to Montpellier, a city that has grown so much,” it resonates with my own experience, as I’ve gotten to know the city over time.
Ultimately, the portrayal feels closer to the Montpellier I have come to understand and know, rather than the idealized version I first imagined. The photographs offer an intimate and raw insight into daily life what the artist calls moments volés and invite the viewer to see the city as it truly is. If I were to see the exhibition again in the future, I imagine I would interpret it differently, shaped by my evolving perspective on Montpellier.
For anyone considering moving here, or even just visiting, Montpellier is the kind of place where you can feel at home while discovering something new in the everyday. Come and experience the city’s passion for yourself!
