coaxing Versailles’ wildlife into the light
Somewhere beyond Louis XIV’s vision of clean lines and perspective brought to life by André Le Nôtre, the over 800 hectares of grounds at Versailles are home to an unexpectedly diverse range of different animals. Jérémie Villet’s photography sets out to capture this quiet, secret beauty.
From newborn cygnets on the banks of the Grand Canal, to the twirling, swirling swallows at the Royal Chapel and the fox dens hidden in the undergrowth, Jérémie Villet embarked on a mission to track down the gardens’ wildlife with his all-seeing camera.
No secret to regular visitors, the dozen or so species that inhabit the estate’s paths, meadows, groves, and undergrowth combine to make Versailles a sprawling nature reserve that fosters biodiversity.
From 5 to 25 June, the Palace of Versailles’ Instagram account will be showcasing the photographer’s immersive work. Jérémie Villet’s photographs will be uploaded alongside a video and podcast in which he will share anecdotes and stories from his astonishing encounters with the Palace’s fauna.
Jérémie Villet: a wildlife photographer in his natural habitat
Spurred on by the idea that somewhere on Earth imagination becomes reality, Jérémie Villet gave up his studies to travel alone, armed with nothing more than his kit and sled. Embarking on epic, solitary expeditions to far-flung places, Jérémie harnesses snow as a painter might use white paper, in a bid to highlight nature’s inherent purity. This immaculate whiteness has forever remained his link back to the past, while photography immortalises his inalienable right to dream. Jérémie Villet’s work has seen him awarded a number of accolades, including the titles of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and European Photographer of the Year.
Press release
Visuals
