Staff photographer Nicolas Sabathier has spent 2025 documenting the vibrant cultural life of southwestern France, with his lens focused on the region's rich culinary traditions and community celebrations. Among his most compelling images from this year are those captured on June 13 at the Hameau de Pau stadium, where the third edition of "10 Chefs" evening brought together culinary masters to showcase the flavors of the local terroir. The dramatic sky looming over the event provided a striking backdrop that Sabathier masterfully framed, emphasizing both the grandeur of the gathering and the intimate moments of creation happening in the outdoor kitchens. His photographs reveal how culinary artistry and natural elements combined to create an unforgettable evening celebrating regional identity.
The "10 Chefs" event has become a signature celebration in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region, highlighting the gastronomic excellence that defines this part of France. This third installment featured established and emerging chefs who prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients, from Bayonne ham to Ossau-Iraty cheese and Jurançon wine. The stadium setting at Hameau de Pau transformed the sports venue into an open-air banquet hall, where thousands of attendees could sample creations while enjoying the summer evening. Sabathier's photographs capture not just the food, but the choreography of the kitchen, the concentration on the chefs' faces, and the joy of communal dining that defines French food culture and strengthens community bonds.
As a staff photographer for the publication, Sabathier has developed a distinctive approach to documenting regional events, combining technical precision with storytelling sensitivity. His work throughout 2025 has covered a diverse range of subjects, from farmer protests defending agricultural interests to the annual vendanges (grape harvest) that marks the wine calendar. Each assignment requires adapting to different lighting conditions, weather challenges, and the need to remain unobtrusive while capturing decisive moments. At the chefs' event, the approaching storm clouds created unique photographic opportunities, allowing Sabathier to use natural drama to enhance the narrative of chefs battling the elements to serve their creations with professional dedication.
The year 2025 has proven particularly eventful for documentation, with Sabathier also chronicling the transformation of urban spaces, including the redevelopment of the former Galeries Lafayette site. This project represents a broader story of economic adaptation and architectural heritage preservation in the region. His photographic series creates a visual archive of change, preserving memories of spaces that will soon be repurposed for new community needs. Through his consistent presence at these varied events, Sabathier builds a comprehensive portrait of contemporary life in southwestern France, where tradition and modernity constantly intersect and shape the region's evolving identity.
Beyond individual events, Sabathier's body of work for 2025 contributes significantly to the region's visual history and cultural preservation. His photographs of the farmer demonstrations earlier in the year captured the deep connection between agricultural producers and their land, a relationship that defines the identity of rural France. Similarly, his images of the vendanges document not just a harvest, but a social ritual that brings communities together annually and passes traditions to younger generations. These photographs serve multiple purposes: immediate news reporting, historical documentation, and celebration of local culture that might otherwise go unnoticed by national media outlets.
The cumulative impact of Sabathier's 2025 photography reveals the interconnectedness of regional life and the importance of visual storytelling. The same chefs featured at the Hameau de Pau event likely source ingredients from the farmers who participated in protests documented earlier in the year. The wine served at the banquet comes from vineyards where workers were photographed during vendanges. By capturing these threads, Sabathier demonstrates how photojournalism can illuminate the complex web of relationships that sustain regional identity. His work ensures that both the grand public celebrations and the quiet labor behind them receive equal attention, creating a balanced portrait of a community proud of its heritage while navigating contemporary challenges with resilience and creativity.
