Paris, Open all night
For this exhibition, the Roger-Viollet Gallery has selected pictures spanning the period from 1900 to 1970, mostly in black and white, which perfectly illustrate the contrast between the depth of black and the stark whiteness of electric lights.
70 contemporary prints in a limited edition of 30 copies.
Photo: Gaston Paris
Tourism agency office. Paris, circa 1935.
50x50 cm print
As the summer solstice approaches, the Roger-Viollet Gallery is opening a new exhibition dedicated to nighttime in the “City of Light”, so named because of two landmark events in the history of science and technology: it was in Paris that the first public lighting was installed in 1667 and that the first experiments with electric lighting took place in 1843.
In addition to making the streets safer — reducing dark areas and enabling better police oversight — this technical advancement also fostered new behaviors by allowing residents to stay out after sunset, both for entertainment and to shop at stores that remained open later.
For photography, this artificial source of light is obviously an opportunity to explore this other side of reality, which for a long time remained the exclusive domain of a few daring night owls who mastered the codes.
Photo: Gaston Paris
"Paris en Joie" show at the Casino de Paris. Paris, February 1937.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Journal Excelsior
Ceremony marking the second anniversary of the 1918 Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe. Paris, 11 November 1920.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Ray Halin
Pont de l'Archevêché and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Paris, 1965–1970.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
"Les Diaboliques" playing at the Le Berlitz cinema on Boulevard des Italiens, the Opera district. Paris, 1955.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Jack Nisberg
Street Public Lottery. Paris, 1957.
50x50 cm print
As Paul Morand wrote in 1933 in his introduction to Brassaï’s famous book Paris by Night, “Night is not the negative of day; surfaces do not simply cease to be white and become black: in reality, they are not the same images”.
Indeed, daylight is not the only light favored by photography. With its diverse sources and functions, the city’s nighttime lighting offers a completely different view of the Capital.
Photo: Henri Martinie
Metro map at Pigalle Station. Paris, 1930s.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
A Street in the district of Montmartre. Paris, date unknown.
24x30 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the district of Montmartre. Paris, circa 1940.
50x50 cm print
The city, suddenly open to mystery, strangeness, and nocturnal poetry, shifts into a new aesthetic and offers an alternative narrative, alters the sense of time, and temporarily reverses the roles of its inhabitants. Grand perspectives become alleyways and alleyways become imaginary boulevards; the stairways of Montmartre climb toward infinity; the black ribbon of the Seine evokes an unfathomable mirror; famous monuments are now distinguishable only by their silhouettes outlined by electric lights; places dormant by day teem with a bustling world from dusk till dawn.
Photo: Pierre Jahan
"Au Caprice", Passage du Jeu de Boules, Place de la République district. Paris, circa 1937-1939.
30x40 cm print
Photo: René-Jacques
Stairs on Rue Chappe in the district of Montmartre. Paris, 1948.
30x40 cm print
Photo: René-Jacques
"Café des 4 Vents", Rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre, Montmartre district. Paris, 1947.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
Rue Tronchet, in the district of the Madeleine church. Paris, 1935.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
Aubert-Palace Cinema, Boulevard des Italiens, the Opera district. Paris, 1925.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
The French Tourism Company and the Olympia Hall, Boulevard des Capucines, Opéra district. Paris, 1925.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Jacques Boyer
"Le Chat Noir" cabaret, Boulevard de Clichy, in Montmartre. Paris, 1935.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
Notre-Dame Cathedral as seen from the banks of Quai Saint-Michel. Paris, 1955.
40x60 cm print
It is easy to see why some photographers came to view the night as another source of inspiration, another subject for study and technical experimentation — whether by using long exposures, which reveal ghostly figures, halos, and trails of light, or, conversely, by using flash to capture the nightlife of nightbirds and the nighttime spectacles of Paris.
Photo: Anonyme
Pont Alexandre III. Paris, 1954.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Hélène Roger-Viollet & Jean Fischer
Pont-Neuf and Square du Vert-Galant illuminated for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of England. Paris, April 1957.
50x50 cm print
Photo: André Vigneau
Place de la Concorde. Paris, 1928-1939.
24x30 cm print
Photo: Jack Nisberg
Place Vendôme. Paris, circa 1960.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
Streetlights. Paris, date unknown.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
Entrance to L’Île aux Cygnes, near the Eiffel Tower. Paris, 1937-1939.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Jacques Boyer
The Eiffel Tower illuminated by Citroën during the Decorative and Industrial Modern Arts International Fair. Paris, April–November 1925.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
Lighting under Pont Alexandre III during the Decorative and Industrial Modern Arts International Fair. Paris, April–November 1925.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
Luxor lighting fountains on a barge in front of the Eiffel Tower, illuminated by Citroën during the Decorative and Industrial Modern Arts International Fair. Paris, April–November 1925.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
The Grand Staircase of the Palais de la Découverte during the Arts and Techniques Applied to Modern Life International Fair. Paris, May–November 1937.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
The Blue Ribbon at the Arts and Techniques Applied to Modern Life International Fair. Paris, May–November 1937.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
The Philips Triumphal Way on the Pont Alexandre III during the Arts and Techniques Applied to Modern Life International Fair. Paris, May–November 1937.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
The Press Pavilion near the Eiffel Tower during the Arts and Techniques Applied to Modern Life International Fair. Paris, May–November 1937.
40x40 cm print
Photo: François Kollar
Neon signs. Graphic overlay created for the report "At the Sources of Energy" in the book La France travaille. Paris, 1931.
40x50 cm print
Photo: Janine Niepce
Neon signs at the Wepler brasserie, Place de Clichy. Paris, 1950s.
40x50 cm print
Photo: Jacques Boyer
Christmas lights at the Bazar de l'Hôtel-de-Ville department store. Paris, 1926.
40x50 cm print
Photo: Jacques Boyer
Christmas lights at Le Bon Marché department store. Paris, 1926.
24x30 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
Christmas lights at The Grands Magasins du Louvre. Paris, circa 1925.
24x30 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
Neon sign of "Le Sphinx" cabaret, Place Pigalle. Paris, circa 1935.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Janine Niepce
The Moulin Rouge. Paris, 1956.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
In the backstage dressing rooms of the Folies Bergère. Paris, 1935.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
In the backstage dressing rooms of the Folies Bergère. Paris, 1937.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
Rehearsals for a Folies Bergère show. Paris, 1937.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
Dancers from a Folies Bergère show. Paris, 1935.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
"Paris en Joie" show at the Casino de Paris. Paris, February 1937.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
French Cancan at the Bal Tabarin, near Pigalle. Paris, 1937–1939.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
French Cancan at the Bal Tabarin, near Pigalle. Paris, 1937–1939.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
French Cancan at the Bal Tabarin, near Pigalle. Paris, 1937–1939.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Gaston Paris
Bottle fishing at a funfair. Paris, circa 1945.
50x50 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
Bumper cars at a funfair. Paris, 1937.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
Café E. Laur, Rue de la Grange aux Belles, near Canal Saint-Martin. Paris, 1937-1939.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
"Le Monocle", a cabaret for women, in the district of Montparnasse. Paris, circa 1930.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
Interior of the cabaret "L'Enfer", Boulevardd de Clichy, in the district of Montmartre. Paris, 1904.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
New Year's Eve Party at sculptor Édouard Chimot's home. Paris, 1913.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Maurice-Louis Branger
Entrance to a masked ball at the Opera house. Paris, circa 1910.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Janine Niepce
Bastille Day Ball, Rue de Lappe, in Bastille district. Paris, 1950s.
50x50 cm print
At night, Paris transforms, revealing new facets of itself. Like us, the city defies insomnia with its ceaseless activity, joyfully prepares for a moment of fun, or becomes the soothing backdrop for a gentle reverie.
But the day has not yet come when Paris will be closed at night.
Photo: Henri Manuel
Musette Ball at "La Java", Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, near the district of Belleville. Paris, circa 1930.
40x60 cm print
Photo: Henri Manuel
At a Musette dance ballroom. Paris, circa 1935.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Léon & Lévy
Les Halles market handlers. Paris, circa 1900. Detail from a stereoscopic view.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
Butcher at Les Halles market. Paris, September 1958.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Pierre Jahan
Crates and sacks of potatoes at Les Halles market. Paris, 1939.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Jack Nisberg
Actress and model Ivy Nicholson at Les Halles market. Paris, 1959.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Jack Nisberg
At Les Halles market. Paris, 1959.
40x40 cm print
Photo: Jacques Cuinières
Along the Quays. Paris, circa 1960.
50x50 cm print
Photo: René-Jacques
"Aux Pierrots" Hotel and Bar, Place Pigalle Paris, 1948.
40x50 cm print
Photo: Jules Gervais-Courtellemont
Sunset on the Seine. The Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower. Paris, circa 1910. Autochrome.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Jules Gervais-Courtellemont
Sunset on the Seine. The Pont au Change and the Conciergerie. Paris, circa 1910. Autochrome.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Jules Gervais-Courtellemont
Sunset on the Seine. Notre-Dame Cathedral. Paris, circa 1910. Paris, circa 1910. Autochrome.
30x40 cm print
Among the few color images in the exhibition, those by Jules Gervais-Courtellemont — a globetrotter and photographer for National Geographic Magazine — capture the gentle melancholy of twilight, where the silhouettes of famous Parisian monuments can be glimpsed through the veil of the Autochrome’s tinted grains.
Photo: Jean-Pierre Couderc
Ambiance (Good vibes). New Year's Eve in Pigalle. Paris, 1970s.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Jean-Pierre Couderc
Cotillons (Party Supplies). New Year's Eve in Pigalle. Paris, 1970s.
30x40 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
Cabaret Clubs on Place Pigalle. Paris, 1960s..
50x50 cm print
Photo: Anonyme
Cabaret Clubs on Place Pigalle. Paris, 1960s..
50x50 cm print
The works on display come in part from the archives of the City of Paris (Roger-Viollet, the City of Paris Historical Library (BHVP), the Forney Library, and the Robert-Lynen Film Library), as well as from the personal archives of Jean-Pierre Couderc, Pierre Jahan, François Kollar, Janine Niepce, Jack Nisberg, and René-Jacques.
Catalog of the exhibition "Paris, open all night".
90 pages. 15 €