Les Rendez-vous de la Photo d'Essaouira 2026: Exhibitions, Venues and Practical Guide

Essaouira has always attracted photographers: the blue boats in the port, the seagulls over the Skala, the white walls turning pink at sunset. Since 2023 the town also has its own photography festival. Every late autumn, Les Rendez-vous de la Photo d'Essaouira, organised by the Institut français d'Essaouira, hang exhibitions on the ramparts, in the old bastions and in the cultural spaces of the medina, with talks, screenings and portfolio reviews around them.

Here is what you need to know about the Rendez-vous de la Photo in Essaouira in 2026.

Three editions so far

Each edition is built around a theme and mixes Moroccan and international photographers, established names and young talent, documentary work and more personal series.

When is the Rendez-vous de la Photo 2026?

A fourth edition is expected in late November 2026, but at the time of writing (October 2026) the exact dates and the theme have not been published. Follow the Institut français d'Essaouira for the announcement. One useful detail: in past editions the core programme lasted four days, but several exhibitions stayed up for weeks afterwards, so even a December visit can include part of the festival.

Where are the exhibitions?

The charm of the festival is that it uses the town itself as a gallery. Past editions have shown work on the Skala of the medina, the sea-facing rampart lined with old cannons; in the Borj Bab Marrakech bastion; at Dar Souiri, the cultural house of the medina (see our Dar Souiri guide); and at the Institut français, in a restored riad. Exhibitions are generally free to visit, and walking from one venue to the next takes you through the most beautiful parts of the old town.

Photographing Essaouira yourself

Between two exhibitions, you will want to take pictures too. A few tips from people who see the town in every light:

• Morning at the port. Fishing boats come in from around 8 am; the auction, the blue boats and the gulls make for lively scenes.
• Sunset at the Skala du Port. The view of the medina from the harbour fortress is the classic shot; arrive early, it gets busy.
• Golden hour on the beach. Horse riders and camels on the wet sand reflect the sky.
• Ask before photographing people. Most Souiris are relaxed, but a smile and a question are expected, especially with women and children. Some vendors may ask for a coin.
• Leave the drone at home. Bringing or flying a drone in Morocco requires prior authorisation, and customs can hold them at the airport.

Our medina and ramparts walking guide shows the best viewpoints, and our art galleries guide lists the galleries to visit the same weekend.

A one-day photo walk between the exhibitions

If you have a single day for the Rendez-vous de la Photo, here is the route we suggest to our passengers:

1. 8 am, the port: blue boats, fishermen mending nets, the morning auction and the gulls overhead.
2. 10 am, the Skala of the medina: the cannons, the sea wall and the first exhibition panels in the soft light.
3. Late morning, the medina: the souks, the mellah and its old doors, and a coffee on Place Moulay Hassan.
4. Afternoon, the indoor venues: Dar Souiri, the Borj Bab Marrakech bastion and the Institut français, away from the midday light.
5. Sunset, the beach or the Skala du Port: horses and camels on the wet sand, or the classic view of the ramparts in gold.

Keep your evening for a talk or a screening of the festival — and for a fish tagine in the medina.

Where to stay and when to book

Late November is low season in Essaouira: rooms are easy to find, prices are gentle and the light is beautiful. Stay in the medina to walk between venues — our guide to where to stay in Essaouira helps you choose. Days are often around 20°C; evenings on the ramparts are cool and windy, so bring a warm layer.

Getting there

• From Marrakech: our Marrakech to Essaouira transfer takes about 2 h 30 door to door, from €100 per vehicle at the time of writing. Photo stops on the way — the goats in the argan trees, an argan cooperative — are free on request.
• From Essaouira-Mogador airport: the airport transfer takes about twenty minutes, from €20.
• Back to Marrakech: book the Essaouira to Marrakech transfer for the day you leave.

Want more landscapes for your portfolio? The half-day excursion along the argan route and coast and our private picnic excursion take you to wild beaches and viewpoints most visitors never see. The photography festival is one stop in Essaouira's winter season: see the Essaouira events calendar for the Biennale and Jazz sous l'Arganier that follow.