The Royan Museum is hosting a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Jean-Pierre Boudon, the photographer who captured the essence of France's vibrant 1960s yéyé era while working summers for the Sud Ouest newspaper. His photographs tell the story of a carefree period filled with joy and the art of living that defined the golden age of this French seaside resort.
Among his most iconic images is a striking photograph of Dalida sitting with a telephone in her hand at the Sud Ouest agency office in Royan. This was taken in the early 1960s when Boudon, then working as a summer photographer for the regional daily newspaper, was assigned to photograph the star who was adapting to contemporary tastes with hit songs like "La Leçon de twist" and "Le Petit Gonzalez."
At 88 years old, Boudon's memory remains sharp when recalling the golden age of this seaside resort. "I had to stage her in different ways, as I always did, so I took her along the municipal casino before we went to the newspaper offices where I had the idea to have her sit at Henri Couderc's desk, the agency director," he remembers. "I recall afterwards taking a ride with her in a convertible 403 through Royan."
The exhibition, featuring 61 of Boudon's photographs, runs until March 29, 2026, at the Royan Museum under the title "The 60s in Royan: An Art of Living." As part of a partnership with the museum, readers who present the Saturday, August 16, 2025 edition of Sud Ouest will receive free admission to the exhibition. This represents a time that those under 20 cannot have known but can now discover by entering the museum.
Boudon recalls an era when Royan was an essential stop for all the stars of the moment. "There were parties organized every night. In those years, singers made the rounds of the casinos," explains the photographer who rubbed shoulders with all these celebrities. He even speaks of Fernand Raynaud as a friend, though he clarifies, "Well, he was friends with many people. He was a regular in Royan."
The photographer immortalized glamorous couples, including a memorable photograph of Yves Montand and Simone Signoret taken at the Golf Hotel, where many celebrities stayed during this golden period of French entertainment culture.
