Few people can boast of having their wedding photos taken by renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, but Marine and Florence, who were married in the small French village of Ousson-sur-Loire, had exactly that honor a year and a half ago. Their portrait has been selected to appear in both the exhibition and book titled "France, un album de famille" (France, a Family Album).
The couple originally came with friends to take casual photos together, but they unexpectedly caught the photographer's attention. "He saw us, he saw two women and asked us to take this photo that was a bit more meaningful than what we had imagined. It was somewhat by chance," they explained. The couple emphasized that they don't necessarily consider themselves activists for the cause, as their marriage "happened very naturally. We were lucky to be welcomed by a community for whom it was never a problem." More than showcasing their same-sex union, they are proud to highlight the village of Ousson-sur-Loire.
Valérie Joly, the deputy mayor who officiated their wedding, shares this perspective. "It's fantastic to be able to showcase a small village. This is one of the themes he wants to highlight about the evolution of society, particularly in rural areas, in relation to the 2013 law (marriage for all)," she said. Despite the importance of the message, all three women describe a "warm, stress-free" atmosphere during the photo shoot, praising the photographer for his "benevolent gaze and great open-mindedness."
Marine and Florence attended the opening reception held on Monday, October 21st. Beyond the joy of seeing themselves photographed in "this exceptional venue," the brides found it "very touching to see all these portraits brought together." They are also "very proud to be part of this beautiful family album." The other canvases feature farmers, painters, musicians, municipal employees, and athletes posing to showcase France's diversity.
The exhibition is running from October 20th to November 2nd in the honor salons of Paris City Hall. Opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. A documentary titled "France, une histoire d'amour" (France, a Love Story) directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot will be released in theaters on November 5th. The book "France, un album de famille" featuring Yann Arthus-Bertrand's photographs and texts by Hervé Le Bras has been available since October 1st, priced at 49.90 euros.
