Sylvain Nambot, a 23-year-old photographer from Le Puy, has spent his summer documenting the vibrant world of traditional village balls throughout the Haute-Loire region of France. His mission goes beyond simple photography – he aims to immortalize the unique spirit and community atmosphere that these celebrations bring to rural French life.
Nambot's journey to photography began through an unconventional path. His early professional life was split between working as a bartender in the nightlife scene and the world of traveling fairs in his native Puy region. He also traveled extensively, particularly along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, covering more than 2,600 kilometers. This transformative journey inspired his book '22 ans sans mode d'emploi - l'art de se perdre pour mieux se retrouver' (22 Years Without Instructions - The Art of Getting Lost to Better Find Yourself), which was published last May.
'I've always loved the photography profession,' Nambot explained. 'I started at the Metro club. I did a year of volunteer work in Langeac. And this summer, I called Simca and asked them to work with me.' Having established his own photography business, Nambot decided to focus on documenting the summer ball season. 'I told myself I was going to cover the balls this summer. This is my region, this is my home, and I wanted to highlight it.'
Throughout the season, Nambot's reputation preceded him in this tight-knit community. 'After Metro and Langeac, people know me. They come looking for me to get their photo taken while dancing,' he said. His presence became so valued that organizers in Saint-Jean-de-Nay even brought out photographs from the 1980s and 90s for display. 'It helps create beautiful memories,' Nambot noted.
His photographs capture multiple generations coming together – from children participating in torch-lit parades to elderly residents competing in pétanque tournaments, and young people reveling in the lively evening festivities that the balls offer. 'We come together around the desire to celebrate,' he observed. This intergenerational spirit is also reflected in his social media presence, where he shares content the Monday following weekend events.
'I'm very active on Instagram, so I create photo and video posts. The idea is to get everything out while it's still fresh on Monday,' Nambot explained. His Instagram account, 'Sylvain Nambs photographie,' has attracted more than 21,000 followers, demonstrating the widespread appeal of his work and the cultural phenomena he documents.
Nambot has witnessed firsthand how young people are breathing new life into rural traditions. From Haute-Loire to the neighboring Ardèche region, he observes that 'young people love the countryside.' He cited the example of Saint-Cirgues-en-Montagne, which had gone thirty years without a festival. 'Young people formed a committee and created a budget to organize a ball. They wanted to revive the village, at least once a year. And it works: they had 5,000 people throughout the day. It took eight months of preparation, but it created real excitement.'
This revival of rural celebration culture is exactly what motivates Nambot's photographic mission. 'I want to immortalize this spirit,' he stated, explaining why he has traveled extensively across dance floors throughout the summer. His services continue to be in high demand, from Saint-Jean-Lachalm to Langeac, covering everything from class reunion balls to year-end celebrations.
The demand for his work is evident in upcoming bookings, including a December 20th event in Jullianges, where his presence is prominently featured in promotional materials. The event announcement specifically mentions that 'a professional photographer will be present to capture the most beautiful moments of the evening.' Nambot's success has ensured his calendar is already filling up for next year. 'I'm already booked for the entire summer next year,' the entrepreneur revealed. 'This is my way of contributing to these events, and I hope to do it for several years to come.'
