Spending the Christmas holidays in the west of the Aveyron department, I decided to surprise my parents by inviting them to the Galerie Jean-Marie Périer in Villeneuve d'Aveyron. Adoring the music of the 60s and having recently seen the famous photographer on television talking about the visit site, the experience is very appealing to me!
A remarkable building
Villeneuve d'Aveyron is a charming medieval town. Dominated by the elegant Soubirane Tower opening onto the Place des Conques, it is a Sauté-bastide with exceptional architecture. We understand why the photographer decided to put his suitcases here: a little corner of paradise where life is good! As we approach the Jean-Marie Perier Gallery, we discover that it takes place in a splendid residence with Gothic and Renaissance architecture. First very nice surprise.
Leaving the ground floor, you find yourself at the foot of a superb spiral staircase of the late Middle Ages. There, our gaze falls on a superb sculpted bull's head, remnant of the medieval building that housed the butcher's house. We enter a small room where the biographical film “Flashback – Jean-Marie Périer " in a loop. A sign advises us to take advantage of the exhibition before viewing it, which we do.
“Visiting the Jean-Marie Périer Gallery is discovering a building with exceptional history and architecture while immersing yourself in the golden age of the 60s! »
Upon entering the first room, one faces Johnny Hallyday on a perfect musical background, chosen by Jean-Marie Perier himself. We find “Jojo” in a sports car, in military uniform, on stage, in New York, on honeymoon with Sylvie Vartan, in the company of his biker friends: a good summary of the life of the "youth idol". We advise you to activate the audio comments of Jean-Marie Périer to fill up with crisp anecdotes.
The second room immerses us in the company of Sylvie Vartan, Claude François, Michel Berger… But our gaze is drawn to the most emblematic photograph of Hi buddies ! on which all the stars of the Yéyés years. We can have fun recognizing them… not so simple. Personally, I only found about ten, unlike my parents who had recognized nearly 40! A bit normal too, it's their time!
Heart stroke
We take the spiral staircase again and reach the second floor. A small room has cliches of "people from here", local personalities photographed by Jean-Marie Périer. Among them, the journalist Marie-Sophie Lacarrau, born in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Very nice look!
The fourth room is a true masterpiece! entirely dedicated to Rolling Stones, she dazzles with her shots, each more exceptional than the next. Mick Jagger, B, Keith Richards et Charlie watts on the train, playing cards, on stage or boarding their plane adorned with the famous "hanging tongue". A photograph comparing Mick Jagger and Françoise Hardy is simply crazy: it looks like they are brother and sister, their facial features are so similar.
The fifth room is a medley in which we find ourselves with Alain Delon, Eddie Mitchell, Steve Wonder, Julien Clerc, Michel Polnareff et Steve McQueen. I really like Jean-Marie Périer's comment on the American actor: a most likeable personality...
Through his shots, Jean-Marie Périer manages to make us nostalgic for an era that we have not lived through. What a genius!
The sixth room is a tribute to Beatles, an iconic group that single-handedly embodies the madness of the 60s! Jean-Marie Périer followed them for several years in London and Paris, on the eve of and during their fame. A delight to find John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison et Ringo Starr in the prime of life! With their “so British” haircut and style of dress, we understand why they capsized the hearts of thousands of young girls!
A moment of intimacy with Jean-Marie Périer
As expected, we end our visit to the projection room. In a few seconds, we are swept away in the multiple stories of Jean-Marie Perier. What a life… This viewing allows us to learn more about the photographer and the man. Embellished with archival footage and commentary from his closest friends, these are 55 minutes pure happiness! We do not see the time passing…
We go back down to the reception and buy a book by Jean-Marie Périer: we couldn't finish the visit without a souvenir! On the advice of Déana, we walk through the alleys of the city and enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the Romanesque-Gothic architecture and the painted legend of the Hanged Man Depended strongly seduce us.
A tip, no, an obligation: stop in Villeneuve d'Aveyron to visit its old town and the Galerie Jean-Marie Périer!
How to visit?
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| Prices | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Individual adult free visit |
5.5 € | 7 € |
| Individual child free visit |
5.5 € | - |
Jean-Marie Perier Gallery
12260 Villeneuve
Themes
