Vincent Gouriou’s photographs explore the growing presence of LGBTQIA+ individuals in rural areas, challenging the notion that they can only thrive in large cities. Gouriou reveals that many LGBTQIA+ people choose to stay or return to the countryside, drawn by a connection to nature and a search for sustainable, ecological lifestyles. Despite this reality, their visibility remains limited, perpetuating stereotypes.
In his project Champs d’amour, Gouriou travels through various rural regions—including Cantal, Aveyron, Puy-de-Dôme, Allier, and Haute-Vienne—from 2023 to 2024. There, he meets people engaged in diverse projects, such as Philippe, a cattle farmer; Anthony, passionate about permaculture; Isabelle and Valérie, sheep farmers; Boubou, a market gardener; and many others. These inspiring encounters reveal authentic journeys, like Boubou’s encouragement to LGBTQIA+ youth to stay close to their roots, be themselves, and find community support. For Gouriou, this human diversity, much like nature’s own diversity, is essential to rural life’s balance.
Vincent Gouriou
Photographe
Vincent Gouriou, born in 1974 in Concarneau, lives in Brest, where his photographic work explores intimacy and identity through portraits—without provocation or idealization. Influential encounters with Nathalie Luyer, Léa Crespi, and Anders Petersen have shaped his approach. Since 2010, he has participated in various collective exhibitions and recently collaborated with Télérama. His work was featured at the BnF from December 19, 2013, to February 23, 2014, as a favorite of the Bourse du Talent #54 “Portrait.”
Marie-Hélène Lafon
Auteur
Marie-Hélène Lafon Associate Professor of Classical Letters, she chooses to teach in a college located in the Priority Education Zone. She began writing in 1996. Her first novel, “Le Soir du chien”, received the Renaudot Prize for high school students. She chaired the literary prize for high school students in Compiègne in 2003-2004. “Histoires” obtains the Goncourt news in 2016.
In her works, she sometimes makes reference to “the readings that nourished me, the authors, especially languages, Louis Calaferte, Gustave Flaubert, Jean Genet …”
