Infrared photography certainly it has a lot of magic and teaches us to see things differently but, as the photographer Pierre-Louis Ferrer says, “without inventing or adding anything, just revealing an invisible world that has a physical reality beyond human eyes“. In this case that invisible world are the most famous places in the neighboring country, from the well-known Eiffel Tower even less popular but undoubtedly beautiful places in France.
His collection, which I share on Petapixel through an article of my own, traces a complete tour of various regions of the Gallic country showing images of the most iconic places but also of “hidden gems” and, therefore, not known by the general public. That article caught our attention due to the spectacular nature of the photos, as well as the variety of places and landscapes that it shows us in an unprecedented way. Because we have seen thousands of photos of Paris, but in this way very few (perhaps none).
The iconic place of Savoy: the Mont-Blanc mountain. It is the highest point of the alpine chain; therefore the highest peak in Europe. It is located on the Franco-Italian border. If your ascent seems too difficult, you can choose to go around it for a ten-day hike.
For this professional of infrared photography (he even teaches a workshop on the subject in Paris) this technique “not only serves to offer a pop and psychedelic atmosphere: it is also, and above all, a means to visualize how nature diffuses according to its environment, from the most urban to the most isolated from the human hand“.
The hidden gem of Paris: Park of Bercy. Located in the 12th district, near the National Library, it offers different amenities such as a rose garden, an architectural waterfall and a lake. A true source of calm and serenity for a getaway or a picnic.
“Infrared photography -keep going- It is a unique way to show and reveal the spread of nature by unifying the colors of the foliage. Rather than post-processing, this technique maintains photographic logic by filtering out the interesting part of the light and interpreting it through the sensor, as in traditional photography.“.
To make this entire collection of photos, the artist has spent the last summers traveling in France and discovering the diversity of its landscapes and its natural heritage. And although summer is normally synonymous with crowds of tourists, “for this project, summer is also synonymous with lush nature, where infrared photography works best to reveal alternative colors“.
The hidden gem of Savoy: the Arpenaz waterfall. This waterfall is surprising for its height and for the presence of three jumps before reaching the ground. Its access is easy and offers a very pleasant environment for a family picnic.
U.S we congratulate Pierre-Louis for his photosWe thank you for letting us share them with you and we refer you to the aforementioned article where you have the complete tour that the photographer makes of France through his infrared photos.
The iconic place of Périgord: Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac. They are the most visited gardens in the region, highlighting the boxwood carved in the most fanciful shapes. Its elevated position offers a unique panorama of the entire Dordogne region.
The iconic place of Champagne: the vineyards. These vines are visible in all parts of the region and spread throughout the valleys. The harvest in early September is the reason for local festivals.
The hidden gem of Provence: the blue lagoon. It shares the color of its turquoise water with the place of the same name in Iceland. But the comparison stops there: an old quarry carved out of the rock, the lagoon is only visible from its edges and its access is prohibited for security reasons.
The iconic place of Auvergne: Puy de Dôme. The highest volcano in the Chaîne des Puys is an iconic site of the Auvergne region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers a unique 360 ​​° panorama around the entire region, from volcanoes to cities.
The iconic place of the Loire Valley: the Château de Chambord. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sumptuous castle is the largest of the Loire castles and the only royal estate that has remained intact since its creation.
The iconic place of Provence: Baux-de-Provence. The village of Baux-de-Provence is perched on a rocky outcrop and overlooks the Alpilles natural park. It has an incredibly rich architectural heritage, including a citadel that offers a unique panorama of the region.
The hidden gem of Périgord: Brantôme. Amid the lush Dronne River and its bucolic landscape, lies the village of Brantôme, built around its Abbey, a monument of French architectural and religious heritage. Surrounded by its river, in the shadow of a cliff, the town looks like a stone island in the heart of a green (or golden) landscape.
The iconic place of Normandy: Cliffs of Etretat. It is an old fishing village turned spa, and has inspired many artists (painters, writers …) over the years. Its cliffs are wonders of nature and are visited by thousands of tourists every year. Etretat also has hanging gardens where works of contemporary art are displayed.
The iconic place of Brittany: Belle-Ile-en-Mer. It is the largest island in Brittany, a true paradise for beach lovers. After 40 minutes on a sea ferry, you will discover an isolated land that you can visit by bike or electric car. The more adventurous will enjoy discovering old war bunkers embedded in the shoreline.
Champagne’s hidden gem: Bar-sur-Aube. This wine-growing town, crossed by the Aube, offers in its historic center the remains of an old mill converted into modern rooms.
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Photographs by Pierre-Louis Ferrer reproduced with permission of the author for this article
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