The Roger-Viollet agency
In 1938, when the agency was created in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés in Paris, Hélène Roger-Viollet and her husband Jean Fisher accumulated, archived and saved numerous photographic collections, some of which were doomed to destruction. Over the years, they thus constituted a unique collection, in which some of the the oldest photos date from the beginning of photography.
Beyond this heritage work, the Roger-Viollet couple never ceased to travel the world to photograph with talent the most remote places on the planet.
Having no heir, they decided that upon their disappearance this treasure would be bequeathed to the City of Paris. For almost forty years, the City has continued the work to conserve this heritage and has digitized the collection of more than 6 million original plates and glass and negatives.
When the daily France-Soir disappeared in 2012, the City of Paris acquired all of its photo archives. Thanks to a meticulous investigation, the Roger-Viollet agency found the photographers or their beneficiaries with whom are signed distribution contracts. This exceptional collection of 6 million images, which retraces the political, cultural and societal news of France from the 50s to the 90s, is being digitized and is available progressively on the agency’s website.
The policy of acquiring and distributing photographic collections continues, making it possible to market the images of authors as renowned as Laure Albin-Guillot, François Kollar, Janine Niepce, Françoise Demulder, Jean Marquis, etc.
Always rue de Seine in the 6th arr. of Paris since its creation, this emblematic place of photography, the walls of which are covered with green archive boxes adorned with handwritten labels describing the content, has gone through eras without major transformation, giving it today an outdated charm.
To allow the general public to discover its unique collections, the Roger-Viollet agency will open a gallery space there at the end of 2020, a place for thematic exhibitions and sales of prints.
Individuals who wish to decorate their interior with images from the Roger-Viollet agency can already buy framed prints on the dedicated parisenimages.fr site.
The roger-viollet.fr site is freely accessible to all for consultation.
Professional photographers who are looking to distribute their archives can contact the agency: [email protected]
Agence Roger-Viollet
6, rue de Seine 75006 Paris
