The Maison de la Citoyenneté in Saint-Girons is currently hosting a captivating photography exhibition titled 'Autrefois le Couserans' (The Couserans of Old), running until October 31, 2025. The exhibition showcases winning photographs from the latest edition of this annual photography competition, celebrating the historical heritage and traditional life of the Couserans region in southwestern France.
The competition serves a dual purpose: creating an autumn exhibition for public enjoyment and providing high-quality photographs for the association and its partners' communication materials. All displayed photographs are free of copyright restrictions, making them valuable resources for promoting regional heritage and culture.
The 2025 photography competition results have been announced, with five distinguished winners representing various aspects of traditional Couserans life. Sophie Allard from Orgibet claimed first prize with her striking photograph titled 'Les belles au bal' (The Beauties at the Ball), capturing the elegance and social traditions of the region. Second place went to Marie-Anne Civrac from Montégut for her evocative image 'Les cavalières' (The Horsewomen), showcasing the equestrian heritage of the area.
Jean-Louis Alliot from Lézat secured third place with his atmospheric photograph 'Ça fume' (It Smokes), while Pierre Goujet from Seix earned fourth place for his compelling image 'Effort partagé' (Shared Effort), highlighting the collaborative spirit of traditional rural work. Rounding out the top five, Aline Jamonneau from Courbevoie in the Paris metropolitan area won fifth place with 'Dépiquage avec presse' (Threshing with Press), demonstrating how the region's heritage resonates even with those living far from the area.
The exhibition ceremony featured the presence of Daniel Subra and the mayor of Saint-Girons, along with members of the municipal council, who celebrated the winners and emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing regional heritage through visual storytelling. The diverse geographic origins of the winners, ranging from local villages to the Paris region, illustrates the widespread appeal and significance of Couserans' cultural heritage.
Visitors can explore the exhibition at the Maison de la Citoyenneté during regular business hours throughout the week. The venue is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, with Friday hours ending slightly earlier at 4:30 PM. Entry to the exhibition is completely free, making it accessible to all community members and tourists interested in discovering the rich historical tapestry of the Couserans region through the lens of contemporary photography.
