From August 2 to August 23, 2026, Hans Silvester is the featured guest of the Expos du Château at the Château des Templiers in Gréoux-les-Bains. Open to the public free of charge, this new exhibition presents a unique encounter between the photographer’s work and the world of Jean Giono, one of Provence’s greatest writers.
Hans Silvester’s First Book and the Support of Jean Giono
In 1962, Hans Silvester was still a young photographer at the beginning of his career when he prepared the publication of his first book, Camargue. Believing that a text by a renowned writer would give the book greater visibility, he approached Jean Giono. Captivated by the project, the celebrated author agreed and wrote far more than a simple foreword: he produced a rich, poetic and deeply inspired text that resonates beautifully with Silvester’s photographs. Over the years, the book became impossible to find, and Giono’s text was never republished.
A New Limited Edition by the Friends of Jean Giono
More than sixty years later, the Association des Amis de Jean Giono obtained permission to bring this remarkable book back to life in a limited edition of 1,000 copies, faithfully reproducing the spirit of the original publication. This new edition revives an exceptional collaboration between a young photographer destined for an international career and one of the greatest French writers of the twentieth century.
An Exhibition Celebrating This Remarkable Revival
To celebrate this long-awaited republication, the Château des Templiers in Gréoux-les-Bains is hosting, from August 2 to August 23, 2026, an exhibition of Hans Silvester’s photographs dedicated to the Camargue and the world of Jean Giono. Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover this limited edition, which brings back to life one of the founding works of Hans Silvester’s career.
Practical Information
Exhibition: Jean Giono and Photography
Dates:
From August 2 to August 23, 2026
Venue:
Château des Templiers
04800 Gréoux-les-Bains, France
Opening Hours:
Daily from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm