For thirty years, twelve golden frames scattered throughout the picturesque Mediterranean village of Collioure have been capturing the imagination of visitors and social media users worldwide. What started as a temporary art installation in 1995 has evolved into a phenomenon generating approximately 4,000 photographs daily, making this small French town near Perpignan a viral destination across the globe.
The artistic project, called "Points2vue" (Points of View), was created by visual artist Marc-André de Figueres in the summer of 1995. Originally intended to remain in place for just a few months, these golden sculptural frames have become permanent fixtures along Collioure's waterfront and surrounding areas. "I am myself amazed by the success they have enjoyed for 30 years with the public and the Collioure mayor's office, which has supported my approach from the beginning," said de Figueres.
Each of the twelve identical golden frames serves as a unique window to view Collioure's iconic bell tower, the central subject of the artwork. The installation spans from the seafront—the closest point to the bell tower—to the furthest point on the heights of Fort Saint Elme. According to de Figueres, the concept was designed to allow viewers to "engrave the image just for themselves" when looking at the bell tower, creating a personal and instantaneous vision rather than a mere photographic representation.
The "Points2vue" project pays homage to the rich artistic heritage of Collioure, particularly honoring painters like Henri Matisse and André Derain, whose histories are intimately linked to the town known as "La Belle Catalane" (The Beautiful Catalan). The golden frames symbolize painting itself, celebrating the village's significant role in art history while offering contemporary visitors their own artistic perspective.
Despite the dramatic changes in technology and social media since 1995, these installations have adapted remarkably well to the digital age. "Each day 4,000 photos are taken through the 'Points2vue.' It's incredible. The world has changed, technologies have evolved, and even if it wasn't the original idea, if social networks make Collioure travel around the entire world, we have to take it as something positive," de Figueres explained.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of this successful collaboration, the Collioure Mayor's Office and Marc-André de Figueres organized a photography contest, inviting people to submit their own vision of the bell tower through the frames. The summer competition received hundreds of submissions, with four photos receiving prizes. "All the photos presented were very original and of great quality, we were really pleasantly surprised," noted the organizers.
The contest's success has led to plans for a traveling exhibition featuring the 40 best photographs. The selected images will first be displayed in Paris during November and December, before returning to Collioure in spring 2026 for exhibition in the chapel of the royal castle. This venue holds special significance as it was the same location chosen in 1995 to present the first "Points2vue" exhibition, creating a meaningful full-circle moment for the project.
The enduring popularity of these artistic frames demonstrates how traditional art installations can successfully adapt to and thrive in the social media era, transforming a small French village into an internationally recognized destination while maintaining its original artistic integrity and cultural significance.
