THE RAILINGS OF THE LUXEMBOURG GARDENS
Previous exhibitions - Extérieur nuit (printemps 2003) - Territoires de France (hiver 2002/2003) - Victor Hugo, a stroller in the Luxembourg Gardens   (2002) - Himalaya, carrefour des mondes (2002) - Of Volcanoes and Men   (2001-2002) - 100 Photos for a Century of Sport (2001) - The Earth Seen from the Sky   (2000)   THE RAILINGS OF THE SENATE : A UNIQUE EXHIBITION SITE AS HOST TO « EXTERIEUR NUIT » The French Senate's exhibitions of photos that combine exceptional artistic quality with wide appeal are now regular events along the railings of the Luxembourg Gardens. Two years ago, the pioneer show of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's series "The Earth Seen from the Sky" was already a masterstroke. Its closure was twice put off in response to massive public demand. In all, more than two million people were drawn to this event from all over the world during the second half of 2000.  A new trail was blazed in the realm of Paris exhibitions. "The Earth Seen from the Sky" was followed by: An exhibition of photos on the history of sport. This event was jointly organised by the Senate, the sports daily L'Equipe and Lausanne's Olympics Museum in the summer of 2001. Under the title "100 Photos for a Century of Sport", it brought together works by prestigious photographers spanning the entire twentieth century and covering a wide range of sports. "Of Volcanoes and Men" brought together another series of high quality photos during the winter 2001-2002. The exhibition was staged by Robert Delpire with photos by Philippe Bourseiller and with the aid of the volcano expert Jacques Durieux.  "Victor Hugo, a stroller in the Luxembourg Gardens", was devoted to the great writer in the autumn of 2002. The life of Hugo, a French peer and later a senator, was illustrated in an original manner by enlarged pictures manuscripts and photos. This imaginative staging was the creation of Michal Batory. The exhibition was produced by the Bibliothèque de France, the national library. Now comes the turn of "Sweet France," as the French affectionately call their country. The new theme is illustrated by Jean-Pierre Gilson, the landscape photographer, in 87 photos. These works are the fruit of four years spent travelling the roads and paths of France and cover both the homeland and the territories overseas. All seasons are pictured in an eye-catching exhibition which takes us on a journey that evokes the works of France's Impressionist school of painters. This rare adventure enables us, through the photographer's lens, to capture magic moments that often escape the traveller in a hurry. As France's upper chamber of Parliament, the Senate's role is to represent all strands of community life in France . The Senate is therefore particularly fitted to present this visual poem of France as seen from ground level. With these exhibitions the French Senate addresses a vast audience, not just in France but from the world at large by making available the inspiring works of great artists of the past and witnesses of the present.