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An unmissable event

Created in 1989 , Visa pour l'Image has established itself as the largest international festival dedicated to photojournalism , attracting around 300,000 visitors each year Wikipedia Home | Tourism Pyrénées-Orientales . Organized by the Visa pour l'Image – Perpignan association, it takes place in the city center , lasting around 15 days from the end of August to mid-September, with an additional week dedicated to schoolchildren Wikipedia mairie.perpignan.fr .

Exhibitions in the most emblematic places of Perpignan

The exhibitions are held in prestigious cultural sites, including:

• The Convent of the Minims,
• The Dominican Church ,
• The Campo Santo for public screenings Wikipedia mairie.perpignan.fr .

Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. , admission is free for the general public. School groups can enjoy a guided tour tailored to their needs. visapourlimage.com 2nd Office .

Outdoor screenings: when current events come to life

From September 1st to 6th , the evenings at 9:30 p.m. at Campo Santo offer free screenings retracing the year's key events (news, conflicts, social issues, environment, etc.) in the form of a chronology and historical retrospectives.perpignan.fr Perpignan Mediterranean Tourism .

A prestigious and committed competition

• Each work is selected by an international jury... The best photo reports are rewarded with Visa d'Or awards.
• There are several categories: humanitarian, environmental, etc., with prizes such as the ICRC Humanitarian Visa d'Or or the Yves Rocher Perpignan Méditerranée Tourisme 9 Lives Magazine Foundation Prize .
• The festival also supports awards such as the Pierre & Alexandra Boulat Prize , awarded to female photojournalists (2024: Gaëlle Girbes, report on Ukraine)Wikipedia .

A space for exchanges and discoveries

The festival is not limited to exhibitions:

• Portfolio readings , round tables , educational workshops are open to the public and professionals at Perpignan Méditerranée Tourisme .
• Forums , cafes and pop-up bookstores allow you to meet photographers and experts, as Time highlights in its practical guide to the TIME festival.

Context and key news

The 2024 edition highlighted the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: three photographers from Gaza received a Visa d'Or for their poignant photographs, sparking a strong controversy - notably with the decision of the mayor of Perpignan not to present one of the prizesLe Monde.fr +1 France 3 Régions Franceinfo . This controversy has revived issues of ethics, access to information and freedom of the press.

A cultural and educational institution

Since 2015 , the International Center for Photojournalism (CIP) has existed in Perpignan in partnership with Visa pour l'Image. It centralizes archives, organizes exhibitions and promotes image education, with the support of public authorities Wikipedia .

In 2025: a captivating program

ThereThe 37th edition is scheduled from August 30 to September 14, 2025 , with 26 exhibitions , professional evenings, portfolio readings from September 1 and a school week from September 15 to 26 2nd Office mairie.perpignan.fr . The exhibitions will be visible from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. , with virtual access possible for those absent visapourlimage.com .

In conclusion

Visa pour l'Image is much more than a cultural event: it is an international platform of reference , promoting photojournalism as a vector of awareness, education and memory. Between visibility, social commitment and transmission , the festival embodies a powerful showcase for the stories of the world , and an essential meeting for amateurs and professionals alike.