Les Rencontres D'Arles was created by Lucien Clergue, a photographer from Arles, the writer Michel Tournier and the historian Maurice Roquette in the 1970. More than forty years later this festival is definitively, the most important event around photography in the whole world. Usually organized in more than 50 events installed in exceptional patrimonial places of Arles. the previous 2009 meeting, each summer in July, was atteneded by 72000 visitors, 5000 photographers and 8000 students.

Les Rencontres d'Arles est un festival photographique estival annuel fondé en 1970 par le photographe arlésien Lucien Clergue, l'écrivain Michel Tournier et l'historien Jean-Maurice Rouquette. Avec une programmation composée essentiellement de productions inédites, les Rencontres d’Arles ont acquis une véritable envergure internationale. Lors de sa dernière édition en 2009, le festival a accueilli 72000 spectateurs, 5000 professionnels et 8000 scolaires.