Exposition 438 Photographer Camille Moirenc and the Provencal Coastline

Provencal Coastline Images

Even a photographer born in Provence, Camille Moirenc, a South of France native who has spent 30 years photographing the region and has published the same number of books, was surprised at the math. His most ambitious project to date might be “Exposition 438, Notre Littoral” a photo pursuit that took two years to complete and covered 438 km of French coastline (littoral).

Parc national des Calanques, Marseille, 7e arrondissement, Archipel des iles du Frioul, ile Pomegues, port de Pomegues, ferme aquacole, elevage de loups

Les 438 Km du Littoral des Bouches du Rhone – is currently on display at J4 in Marseille, until September 30, 2018. This outdoor exhibition is 438 metres in length, with a total of 834 photos covering five (5) territories, 22 communes and as mentioned many kilometres of shoreline.

Camargue = 135 km

Parc naturel regional de Camargue, Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, Baisse de la Blancarde

Étang de Berre = 90 km

Saint Chamas, Etang de Berre, Ferme Marine de La Durancole

Côte Bleue = 60 km

La Cote Bleue, Le Rove, massif de la Nerthe

Marseille = 115 km

Marseille, 8e arrondissement, quartier Montredon, avenue de la Madrague de Montredon

Cassis to La Ciotat = 38 km

Vent de labe, vent de sud ouest sur le phare de Cassis

Total = 438 km

Moirenc’s idea to inventory the coastline and capture the essence of the people of the Bouches du Rhône in photos seemed simple enough. His vision to shoot the water’s edge from the Camargue to La Ciotat in images required helicopter support. Although each of the territories appears quite distinct at ground level, the Exposition 438 images thread the coast together into a continuum. His work portrays the rich yet diverse natural scenery in its continuity, without breaks from one end to the other. Even this pro-photographer says that he was surprised by the diversity of landscape that he viewed during the project.

La Ciotat, Vieux Port

How to Visit

Exposition 438, Notre Littoral
J4, Esplanade du Mucem,
Promenade Robert Laffont
13002, Marseille
Free to visit 7/24h
Hashtags: #expo438 and #departement13

Parc naturel regional de Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Domaine du Grand Radeau, Manade Raynaud

Making the Cut

The most challenging stage of the whole exercise was selecting the final photos, image editing and determining the layout. We asked Moirenc if he has a favourite photo from the collection. Yes, this one at la plage de Sainte Croix:

Martigues, quartier de La Couronne Vieille, Anse de Sainte Croix, plage de Sainte Croix (vue aerienne)

Recently published in conjunction with the exhibition is 438’- Les 438 Km du Littoral des Bouches du Rhone a beautiful compilation of the images in 384 pages. Available online here or visit La Gallery his boutique in Aix-en-Provence.

Marseille, Grand Port Maritime,16e arrondissement, quartier Saint Andre, Chantier Naval

More than a Store

La Gallery opened in 2011, and it serves multiple purposes as a boutique, exhibition space and an office. There are three rooms of image displays highlighting Camille Moirenc’s diverse talent as a photographer from gastronomy, to nature, to art de vivre, to industrial settings.

La Gallery (website) 
15 rue Van Loo
13100, Aix en Provence
Tel: +33 (0)4 42 63 32 83
Email: contact@camille-moirenc.com

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 10h – 18h
Saturday 10h – 13h during peak season
Sunday by appointment only

Port de Bouc, Golfe de Fos sur Mer, pilotine

Image credits: All photos provided by and published with the permission of Camille Moirenc