After four decades of traveling across five continents, Vaison-la-Romaine photographer and image editor Marie Laure Vareilles, who works under the artistic name Maïlo, has unveiled an extraordinary art book titled "Dans quel monde vit-on?" (What World Do We Live In?). The monumental 420-page publication showcases more than 1,000 photographs organized by themes including portraits, nature, remarkable sites, ancient locations, and architecture.
"I've been fortunate enough to visit the planet. This is a visual testimony of 40 years of travel and history," explains the author. Her lens has captured both iconic landmarks and more intimate territories far from mass tourism circuits, which she deliberately avoids. The photographer's approach focuses on discovering authentic experiences and locations that offer unique visual stories.
Three countries hold special significance in the collection: China, India, and Pakistan, where Vareilles has made multiple extended visits throughout her career. Her recent travels in 2025 alone included seven trips, some undertaken solo to destinations like Socotra and Iraq, as she continues her quest for new material for her photographic montages. Other "favorite" destinations featured prominently in the book include the Pamir Mountains and Chernobyl, chosen specifically for their originality and visual impact.
The process of selecting images for the book proved to be "long and painful," according to Vareilles, who regrets not being able to include even more photographs from her extensive archive. The publication is punctuated by texts written by the photographer herself, offering personal insights into her journeys and the stories behind the images. These written pieces provide context and deeper meaning to the visual narrative.
Published independently by the artist, the book is limited to just 700 numbered copies. This genuine art object weighs 3.5 kilograms and measures 30 x 30 centimeters. The book will be available exclusively at her gallery in the Haute Ville (Upper Town), where the artist permanently exhibits her photographic montages created from her travel photography. Each copy can be personally signed and dedicated upon request.
Vareilles, a former collaborator with Treck magazine, has chosen in recent years to dedicate herself entirely to her personal artistic work. Her images, montages signed under the name Maïlo, demonstrate a freedom of perspective and insatiable curiosity about the world. The book is priced at €117 and can be found at her gallery located at 5 rue des Fours, 84110 Vaison-la-Romaine, with more information available at https://www.mailo-photos.com/.
