The La Gacilly Photo Festival in Brittany, France, is celebrating British photography this summer with a special tribute to some of the most renowned photographers from across the English Channel. Running until October 5th, the 2025 edition titled 'So British' features works from legendary photographers including Don McCullin, Martin Parr, and Peter Dench, offering visitors a fascinating dive into English society through humor, rock icons, and everyday scenes.

This year's festival represents one of the summer's major photography events, with the Morbihan-based festival adopting an distinctly English theme. Ten of the 19 exhibitions presented are dedicated to British photographers, showcasing their unique perspectives on British culture and society.

Among the featured artists is Don McCullin, a pioneer of photojournalism, whose work is displayed in a mini-retrospective featuring approximately sixty images throughout the streets and gardens of La Gacilly. The festival also prominently features the inimitable Martin Parr, whose distinctive style has left an indelible mark on photography history.

'Martin Parr has a signature style,' explains Cyril Drouhet, the festival's exhibition curator. 'When you discover his work, you immediately know who created it because he has this use of extremely saturated color and flash photography. He gets as close as possible to his subjects to sometimes show small details and expressions that make us smile. It's really a different signature. He marks the history of photography and, of course, marks the history of British photography.'

Parr's work on display takes visitors to Brighton's beaches, where the British middle class gathers, capturing the funniest and most unusual situations with his characteristic eye for the absurd and delightful in everyday life. The festival also invites visitors to discover Tony Ray Jones, the photographer who inspired Parr. Virtually unknown in France, visitors can see 25 of his black and white photographs, offering insight into an influential yet underappreciated artist.

Peter Dench, a fifty-something photographer, could be considered their heir apparent. Like his predecessors, his main subject matter consists of his fellow English compatriots. 'The English are my passion,' Dench confides. 'They are the people I most seek to understand. They have shaped me. They are an inexhaustible source of curiosity and amusement.'

Many of Dench's photographs document the English fascination with the royal family, particularly during official celebrations such as the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee, which inspired one of his notable works. 'I went to my town, Weymouth, which is a very royalist place,' Dench explains. 'It's a street party and this woman in the photo was elected queen of the street. She looks majestic, sitting on her red and gold throne, with her golden cardboard crown, waving a British flag.'

The British photography showcase at La Gacilly also includes the work of Mary Turner, who focuses on peripheral England. Her photography interests center on the displaced and forgotten members of society, upon whom she casts a tender and sensitive gaze. Turner's work provides a counterpoint to the more celebratory aspects of British life, highlighting social issues with compassion and artistic sensitivity.

Adding a rock and roll dimension to the festival is Terry O'Neill's iconic photography. O'Neill has immortalized rock legends throughout his career, with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Elton John all having posed for his camera. These legendary figures now grace the streets of La Gacilly, bringing decades of music history to the photography festival through O'Neill's intimate and powerful portraits.

The festival's comprehensive approach to British photography offers visitors multiple perspectives on English society, from the everyday humor captured by Martin Parr to the social commentary of Mary Turner, from Peter Dench's royal obsessions to Terry O'Neill's rock star portraits. This diverse collection provides a multifaceted view of British culture, society, and identity as seen through the lenses of some of the country's most talented photographers.

Running through October 5th, the 'So British' edition of the La Gacilly Photo Festival continues the event's tradition of presenting world-class photography in an accessible outdoor format, transforming the Breton town into an open-air gallery celebrating the rich tradition of British photographic artistry.