In the heart of France's Beaujolais wine region, eight photographers have formed an innovative collective called Collectif 867, transforming a former wine estate into a unique creative space that serves as a studio, laboratory, and open-air exhibition venue. The project, founded by photographer Michel Paccalin, has become a groundbreaking example of collaborative artistic practice centered around place-based creativity.
The collective's origins trace back to Paccalin's personal property in Beaujolais, a former wine estate located precisely 867 meters from the center of Saint-Étienne-des-Oullières. After studying at the Beaux-Arts and working as a photographer until 1984, Paccalin had shifted away from photography before returning to image-making four or five years ago. He renovated his house to include a darkroom and studio, initially for his own creative work.
The transformation into a collective space began after Paccalin participated in a workshop in Lyon led by photographer Sarah Mulot. "At the end, I wanted to keep going," Paccalin explained. "Since I had enough space to accommodate a few people, I decided to create a place where we could meet. That is how 867 was born." The collective grew organically through chance encounters and professional connections, demonstrating how creative communities can form through shared artistic interests.
The group's formation happened through a series of meaningful encounters across the French photography scene. Denis Laveur, who had been Paccalin's neighbor for years without the two ever meeting, joined after they randomly encountered each other in Arles. Laveur then brought in Gilles Pautigny to the collective. At a Sarah Mulot exhibition, Paccalin met and recruited Nadine Lecoeur. During professional meetings in Arles, he connected with both Estelle Rebour and Marie-Jo Magnière. Despite not knowing each other well initially, the group bonded through shared creative time and collaborative work.
From its inception, Collectif 867 established a formal structure for their collaborative practice. Paccalin's vision involved using the four hectares surrounding his house as an exhibition space for the group's work. The collective agreed to explore two central themes: "the field of possibilities" and "the wound," with a schedule of seven gatherings per year designed to foster relationships, share images, and work together toward annual presentations.
The collective's exhibitions have embraced diverse media connected to photography, ranging from traditional collodion processes to performance art and creative writing. Their first exhibition, titled "Le passage des sarments," created a route between different spaces on the property, allowing visitors to experience the work in relation to the natural environment. Each member maintains their individual artistic approach while contributing to the collective vision.
Building on their initial success, the group expanded their reach in subsequent years. The second year saw them occupy an even larger area of the field, and this year brought the addition of an eighth member who collaborates with Paccalin on writing for their new exhibition "Champs libres." The collective has also extended beyond their home base, holding an evening event in Arles for La Nuit de la Roquette and publishing a zine to document their work.
The collective began a new season last October and recently completed an intensive working weekend focused on analog photographic techniques. Their current projects include lumen printing and darkroom work, with much of the output connected to the field itself – its natural qualities, composition, and evolution over time. This hands-on experimentation with traditional techniques reflects the collective's commitment to exploring photography's fundamental processes.
A significant development for Collectif 867 is their upcoming expansion beyond their home base. For the first time, their next presentation will not take place at the Beaujolais property but will move to Lyon's Orangerie at the end of summer 2026. This expansion represents the collective's growing influence and the broader recognition of their work.
When the collective isn't actively creating together, the space continues to serve the broader artistic community. Paccalin, who lives on-site, enjoys returning to his experimental years and plans to welcome other artists to the property. The collective is in discussions with a gallery in Marseille about making the space available for projects that explore relationships between different art forms, such as writing and photography or painting and photography.
Several collective members have already begun using the space for individual workshops, with Gilles Pautigny, Denis Laveur, and Estelle Rebour having organized educational programs there. While the rural location presents logistical challenges for bringing people to the site, Paccalin notes that once artists arrive, the environment proves perfect for concentrated creative work. The collective continues to develop as both a creative community and a destination for artistic collaboration, demonstrating how place-based artistic practice can foster innovation and connection in contemporary photography.
