Art, history and photography: Hôtel Pams during Visa Pour l'Image
The first rainy day of the season brought us to Hôtel Pams in Perpignan, a turn-of-the-century mansion that feels like a secret slice of history. The story of the iconic rolling‑paper brand JOB is deeply entwined with the history of Hôtel Pams. In the mid‑1800s, Pierre Bardou‑Job bought property at 18 Rue Émile‑Zola in Perpignan, powered by the success of JOB cigarette papers he developed and marketed. His fortune allowed the family to invest in luxury and art: later his son‑in‑law Jules Pams commissioned architect Léopold Carlier to redesign the mansion between 1896‑1902, transforming it into a grand Art Nouveau residence complete with an onyx staircase and murals by Paul Gervais.
The interior is just as stunning as the exterior. An onyx staircase winds gracefully upward, adorned with paintings by Paul Gervais, and every corner showcases the lavish lifestyle of the early 20th-century bourgeois. The mansion exudes warmth and creativity, making it easy to lose track of time while exploring its elegant rooms. Visiting Hôtel Pams reminded me why I love Art Nouveau so much — it’s not just architecture; it’s art you can walk through.
Visa pour l’Image is Perpignan’s world-renowned photojournalism festival, held every year to showcase the best in documentary photography. For two weeks, galleries, streets, and historic buildings come alive with powerful images that tell stories from around the globe — from human rights and conflict to culture and everyday life. It’s a celebration of photography’s ability to capture moments, provoke thought, and spark conversation, all set against the charm of this sunny southern French city.
