AN ART FESTIVAL THAT ENGAGES THE PUBLIC

ABSURIA is a festival designed to allow art to reach out to the public and to inspire them to visit art venues through the 130 works on display by 30 photographers representing 8 countries : Germany, Canada, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Japan, and Singapore.

To offer as many people as possible access to the two most popular art movements:

Abstract Art and Surrealist Art, by creating a city-wide circuit through the most widely used medium: Photography.

To develop a visual arts festival that is 100% accessible to people with disabilities

through the selection of exhibition sites and by displaying in the website’s digital galleries all of the works exhibited at the Festival.

The ABSURIA festival exists thanks to corporate sponsors and photographers.

EXHIBITION VENUES IN TOURS

The forecourt of Tours Cathedral

A prime exhibition space located in the heart of Tours’ cultural district, between Tours Castle and the Museum of Fine Arts. Accessible on foot, by bike, and to people with limited mobility. Discover photographers representing more than five countries.

The François Sicard Garden

Across from the Museum of Fine Arts, between downtown and the cathedral, this peaceful spot—where shade and sunlight interplay—invites you to explore an exhibition featuring works by the surrealist photographer Alastair Magnaldo. A poet and illustrator, he is showcasing excerpts from his book *Nous vivants parmi les vivants*

The Prefecture Garden

Across from the Tours train station, along the Palais des Congrès, simply step through the gates of the Prefecture Garden to discover the works of three photographers inspired by nature.A stroll through “natural abstraction” in the company of Elitza Nanova—winner of the ABSURIA “Jacques Duthoo 2026” Award—Rolf Hébert—winner of the ABSURIA 2026 Abstraction Award in the nature category—and Thierry Faivre—winner of the ABSURIA 2026 Award for “The City of Tours.”

Crédit Agricole Jean Jaurès

Just five minutes from the Prefecture Garden, the lobby of the Crédit Agricole de Touraine et du Poitou branch on Place Jean Jaurès has been transformed into an art gallery.
A place where you can forget the banking atmosphere and discover the works on display.
An unusual spot worth exploring, a must-see on the ABSURIA route.

Crédit Agricole, Halles de Tours

The photographs are on display in the windows of the Crédit Agricole branch in Touraine and Poitou, located on these major thoroughfares in the heart of Tours, known for their shops and numerous bars and restaurants. This exhibition is just a stone’s throw from the Galerie des Halles, which is dedicated to ABSURIA.

Les Halles de Tours

This famous gastronomic destination in Tours has dedicated a gallery to ABSURIA, the International Festival of Abstract and Surrealist Photography in Tours

The National Gallery

The main open space on the main thoroughfare in the centre of Tours. Three large galleries, each measuring 600 m², on the ground floor have been made available to the Festival. The spaces at the Galerie Nationale are three prime venues for exhibiting works of abstract art or urban surrealism.

SEE THE LOCATIONS ON THE MAP

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