Behind the scenesRegards sur le Ritz Paris: a photography exhibition
On the occasion of Paris Photo 2026, the Ritz Paris and GOBELINS Paris have come together to present an exhibition of original photographs at the hotel.
THE RITZ PARIS THROUGH THE EYES OF A NEW GENERATION
The Ritz Paris and GOBELINS Paris, a school internationally renowned for its excellence in higher education programs in image-related professions, have joined forces during Paris Photo 2026 to present an exhibition of original photographs at the hotel from November 13th to 16th, 2026. The result of a carte blanche extended by the Ritz Paris to students at GOBELINS Paris’ Photo-Video program, this collaboration highlights how an emerging generation of image-makers sees the illustrious 15 Place Vendôme.
A CARTE BLANCHE EXTENDED TO STUDENTS
The Ritz Paris as seen from 18 angles, in 18 original, never-before-shown images
A group of 18 students was granted rare access to the private world of the Ritz Paris. They explored the hotel’s many facets - its heritage, its aesthetics, its atmosphere and its symbols - to bring to it a personal, very contemporary reading. Each student developed a singular point of view: some chose to reveal what goes on behind the scenes and the unseen teams who bring this legendary house to life each day; others sought to showcase the property’s architectural and decorative heritage; still others explored what luxury means today to a generation raised on social media and instantaneous images. The result is a body of photographic work that bears witness to the dialogue between heritage, contemporary creation and excellence in image-making - three values that naturally unite the two institutions.
The Ritz Paris and the Arts
A true wellspring of inspiration and creation for more than 125 years, the Ritz Paris has maintained a privileged, singular and unparalleled relationship with leading figures across the arts, helping to foster the creative process with a spirit of freedom, openness and cultural progress. Many major photographers have drawn inspiration from the hotel or contributed to its renown, among them Richard Avedon, Robert Doisneau, Elliott Erwitt, Roxane Lowit, Brassaï and Annie Leibovitz. Their perspectives helped shape the visual identity of the Ritz Paris. As early as 1922, photographer Man Ray produced a series of portraits at the hotel, including one of the Marchesa Casati—now regarded as one of the earliest Surrealist photographs in the history of art.
The Ritz Paris has always been a place of inspiration, mentorship and creation. By opening our doors to the students of GOBELINS Paris, we wanted to offer a new generation of talent the opportunity to get to know our House with a free-ranging, contemporary perspective
Arnaud de Saint-Exupéry, Managing Director of the Ritz Paris.
Sharing expertise and savoir-faire
By opening its doors to a new generation of photographers, the Ritz Paris reaffirms its ability to dialogue with contemporary creation by offering fresh perspectives and an unprecedented platform for expressing its story.
For GOBELINS Paris, whose history reflects more than 60 years of photographic creation, this carte blanche is fully in keeping with a hands-on educational approach: challenging students with an exacting brief in a location steeped in symbolism, with all the responsibility it implies.
The project thus illustrates the close ties between expertise, savoir-faire, luxury, modernity, creativity, artistic direction and brand image - all fields that GOBELINS Paris graduates will explore and shape throughout their careers.
This collaboration perfectly embodies the mission of GOBELINS Paris: to reveal talent and unleash creativity in order to inspire the imaginations of tomorrow. It also highlights the values the Ritz Paris and GOBELINS Paris have in common—both institutions stand at the fertile crossroads of tradition and innovation.
Valérie Moatti, Managing Director of GOBELINS Paris.
RITZ PARIS
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