Every year, during the summer, Arles hosts the world's oldest photography festival, Rencontres d'Arles (Meetings in Arles). It is recognized as one of the world's leading festivals dedicated exclusively to photography. This status was not acquired by chance - it was this festival that played an important role in recognizing photography as an art form. It was founded in 1970 by the famous French photographer Lucien Clergue, writer Tournier and historian Jean-Maurice Rouquet. Almost the entire free space of the city has been devoted to holding exhibitions.→