2017, Mainland France Selection, Thunder

Lightning over the Puy de Dôme, Auvergne, France

Lightning striking near the Puy de Dôme at sunset, with dramatic purple and red sky over mountainous landscape in France

Lightning over the Puy de Dôme, Auvergne, France

A powerful lightning strike illuminates the sky near the Puy de Dôme at dusk.

Few natural phenomena capture both awe and unease quite like lightning. In this photograph, a bolt tears across the sky, striking the landscape near the iconic volcanic summit of the Puy de Dôme. The intense contrast between the electric discharge and the fading light of sunset highlights the raw power of the atmosphere.

Beyond its visual impact, this location carries deep historical significance. During the Gallo-Roman period, the summit of the Puy de Dôme was home to a major temple dedicated to Mercury, one of the most important deities in Roman religion. Elevated sites such as this were often chosen for worship, bringing humans closer to the heavens and, symbolically, to the gods themselves.

Lightning, in ancient belief systems, was frequently interpreted as a manifestation of divine will. While in Roman tradition thunder was more commonly associated with Jupiter, king of the gods, the presence of a sanctuary to Mercury atop this mountain reinforces the idea of a sacred landscape where sky and earth converge. Witnessing lightning in such a place today inevitably echoes those ancient interpretations, reminding us of a time when natural forces were seen as direct expressions of divine power.

Today, science explains lightning as a massive electrostatic discharge between cloud and ground. Yet, standing before such a spectacle near a site once devoted to the gods, it is easy to understand why our ancestors perceived something far greater at work.

2026, Mainland France Selection, Reptils and Amphibians

Asp viper in the heart of the moss

Close-up of an asp viper (Vipera aspis) in woodland, head raised, showing its scales and vertical pupil

Asp viper in the heart of the moss

An asp viper (Vipera aspis) moves discreetly between moss and twigs.

Discreet and often feared, the asp viper is nevertheless a fascinating animal that plays an essential role in ecosystem balance. Found across many regions of Europe, it particularly favors dry, sunny habitats, as well as woodland areas where it can blend into its surroundings.

In this image, one can observe the fineness of its scales and the subtlety of its coloration. Nearly motionless, it carefully monitors its surroundings, ready to flee at the slightest disturbance rather than attack.

Contrary to common belief, the asp viper is not aggressive toward humans. Bites are rare and usually occur when the animal is surprised or handled. Observing it from a distance, as shown here, allows one to appreciate the full beauty of this often misunderstood reptile.

2015, Encounters, Rajasthan Selection

Changing a light bulb on a street garland in India

Changing a light bulb on a street garland in India

Changing a light bulb on a street garland in India

At nightfall, one of the bulbs on the garland was no longer working.

A few minutes later, a table, some friends to hold the balance… and the street turns into an improvised workshop.
When travelling, it is often these small everyday scenes that tell the most about a country.

2025, Ethiopia Selection, Gelada (Theropithecus gelada)

Social interactions among geladas, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Social interactions among geladas, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Social Theater of the Highlands, Fiche.

On the plateaus of the Oromia region, near Fiche, this group scene reveals the intricate complexity of the bonds that unite geladas.

Geladas possess one of the most sophisticated social structures among primates. This image captures a moment of both tension and care: while one individual conscientiously engages in grooming—a vital gesture for strengthening alliances—another loudly expresses its displeasure or excitement. In gelada society, communication relies on a rich array of gestures and complex vocalizations that, in their rhythm and structure, closely mirror human speech. This dynamic interaction illustrates the bustling life of these high-altitude herbivores, where every posture is a message intended to maintain balance and cohesion within the clan.

2015, Japan Selection

Torii tunnels at Fushimi Inari-taisha, (伏見稲荷大社), Kyoto, Japan

Torii tunnels at Fushimi Inari-taisha, (伏見稲荷大社), Kyoto, Japan

The Path of a Thousand Torii, (伏見稲荷大社), Kyoto, Japan

In the heart of Kyoto, the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine unfolds a sacred labyrinth of vermillion columns, creating an infinite perspective where time seems to stand still.

This photograph captures the essence of the Senbon Torii (the thousand gates). Each pillar is an offering made by a company or an individual to seek the favor of Inari, the deity of harvests and commerce. The black inscriptions seen in the foreground detail the donor’s name and the date of the offering. There is a striking contrast here between the geometric rigor of the wooden structures and the graceful silhouettes of visitors in traditional kimonos. This passage, both physical and spiritual, perfectly illustrates the persistence of Japanese traditions within a modern world, offering a meditative walk between shadow and light.

2010, Birds, New Zealand Selection

The Nestor Kea, the rebellious intelligence of New Zealand’s mountains

Portrait of a Kea, New Zealand

The Kea, the Rebel Intelligence of the Alps.

Behind this sharp gaze and olive-tinted plumage hides one of the most intelligent birds on the planet: the Kea.

Living exclusively in the mountainous regions of New Zealand’s South Island, this alpine parrot has an exceptional lifespan of up to 40 years. This longevity allows for an extended learning period, essential for developing its complex problem-solving skills. However, this intelligence comes with a trait well-known to travelers: an immoderate love for rubber. Door seals, windshield wipers, or hiking gear—nothing resists its powerful beak. This specimen, captured under a light drizzle, made its mark by nibbling on my tripod handle, leaving an indelible beak print—a wild “autograph” that I still cherish today as a reminder of a meeting as mischievous as it was memorable.

2023, Algeria Selection, Sahara, Stars and Night Skies Photography

Star trail over the dunes of Imidir, Algeria

Star trail over the dunes of Imidir, Algeria

The Waltz of Time, Imidir Mountains.

Under the celestial canopy of Imidir, time seems to stretch into infinity, where the silence of the Sahara becomes almost palpable.

Taken in 2023 in Southern Algeria, this photograph captures the Earth’s rotation through a spectacular star trail. By pointing the lens toward the North Star, the circular motion of the heavens echoes the sinuous curves of the sand dunes. In the foreground, dark rock formations anchor the scene in the ancient stillness of the desert. Between the purple hues of twilight and the deep ochre of the sand, this image bears witness to the absolute purity of Saharan nights, where light pollution is non-existent.

2007, Jordan Selection

Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis, 2nd century, Jerash, Jordan

Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis, 2nd century, Jerash, Jordan

Ancient Verticality, Jerash.

Under the intense blue of the Jordanian sky, the columns of the Temple of Artemis soar with an elegance that has defied millennia.

Built in the 2nd century AD (around 150 AD) in the heart of the ancient city of Gerasa (Jerash), this temple dedicated to the city’s patron goddess is a masterpiece of Corinthian architecture. This low-angle shot highlights the delicate acanthus leaves carved into the capitals, but it also hides a secret of Roman engineering: these massive columns were designed to sway slightly to dissipate the energy of earthquakes. Today, despite the passing centuries and tremors, these stone giants remain standing, offering a vertical testament to the grandeur and ingenuity of a vanished civilization.

2025, Portugal Selection

Isolated rock formation, Praia de Mesquita, Algarve, Portugal

Isolated rock formation, Praia de Mesquita, Algarve, Portugal

Sentinel of the Algarve, Praia de Mesquita.

Rising from the waves like a limestone totem, this solitary sentinel defies the relentless erosion of the Atlantic at Mesquita Beach.

This stretch of the Algarve coast is famous for its spectacular geological formations. The use of a long exposure here transforms the crashing waves into a fleeting silken veil, highlighting the permanence of the rock against the perpetual motion of the ocean.

2019, Insects and Arachnids, Mainland France Selection

Chestnut weevil (Curculio elephas) on a flower – France

Chestnut weevil (Curculio elephas) on a flower - France

The Chestnut weevil, a garden astronaut.

Carefully perched on the pristine petals of a stitchwort, this Chestnut weevil (Curculio elephas) looks like a creature straight out of a science fiction story with its spectacular rostrum.

This small beetle, an icon of the French countryside, possesses a unique tool: a rigid, extremely thin snout that allows it to bore into plant tissues. In the female, this rostrum is a feat of natural engineering used to pierce the still-soft shells of chestnut to deposit an egg.

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