Raphael Luce Brightens Cannes With Sunlit Glimpses
French photographer captures Riviera’s lush green side in a vibrant Instagram series on Y3

Image: Instagram
Raphael Luce, the Paris-based photographer known for his minimalist eye, recently marked his third consecutive appearance at the Cannes Film Festival with an Instagram carousel captioned “Cannes Y3 ☀️✨”. In a departure from typical red-carpet coverage, Luce turned his lens to the festival’s verdant corners, offering followers a fresh perspective on the Riviera’s lush attractions.
A Third Time At Cannes
In his caption, Luce simply wrote “Cannes Y3 ☀️✨”, signaling that this is his third year on the Côte d’Azur. The series opens with a sunlit shot of palm fronds casting intricate shadows on hotel grounds. Subsequent images venture deeper into the festival’s green spaces: manicured gardens, olive trees dusted in gold, and the geometric patterns of tiled courtyards bathed in morning light.
Far from the bustle of premieres and lobby huddles, Luce’s focus is on quiet corners. One image captures the stone balustrade framing the Mediterranean in the distance, while another finds beauty in the weathered texture of a wooden bench. The final frame offers a glimpse of the sea, its surface rippling with reflection as light dances across the water.
Green Riviera Focus
Over the past week, Luce’s followers have praised the series for its soothing palette and thoughtful composition. An art director by training, Luce applies his architectural sensibility to natural elements, finding structure in organic growth. His Cannes shots feel both timeless and immediately relevant, as though urging viewers to pause and notice the festival’s backdrop.
The post arrived alongside several festival highlights—actors on the red carpet, panel discussions, and industry mixers—but Luce’s contribution stands apart. He reminds the audience that Cannes is more than its high-glamour moments; it is also a place where light and shadow play across ancient walls and fragrant blooms.
Minimalist Roots And New Perspectives
This latest series builds on Luce’s ongoing exploration of minimalism in nature. In May 2020, he shared a post titled “Nothing around just the trees and the ground” (Instagram, @raphael_luce/DGwdo_rycfp), in which he zeroed in on bark textures and leaf litter. That early work established his affinity for stripping scenes down to shape and color, a style that Luce has now carried to the festival’s sun-soaked setting.
Nothing around just the trees and the ground
By revisiting these themes at Cannes, Luce bridges his personal vision with an internationally recognized event. He demonstrates that even in a landscape dominated by premieres and paparazzi, there is room for quiet observation and subtle framing.
Community Reaction
Comments on Luce’s Cannes carousel highlight the refreshing take. One follower noted, “This is exactly what I needed after scrolling past so many gowns and logos—pure light and calm.” Another asked: “When’s the photo book dropping?” The response underscores Luce’s growing reputation as a photographer who can bring viewers into the scene without overwhelming them.
Industry peers have also taken notice. A well-known festival producer reshared one of Luce’s shots, praising his ability to capture the Mediterranean’s essence without resorting to cliché postcards. Film critics, too, have tagged his images alongside their festival coverage, suggesting that visual storytelling extends beyond celluloid.
As Cannes moves into its final days, Raphael Luce’s “Cannes Y3 ☀️✨” post invites us to look differently at a familiar event. His focus on light, form, and texture offers a welcome complement to the usual festival visuals. Whether you’re an art lover, a cinephile, or simply someone who enjoys discovery, Luce’s latest work makes a compelling case for slowing down and seeing the green side of the Riviera.
In sharing these tranquil glimpses, Luce not only adds depth to the Cannes narrative but also encourages all of us to notice the beauty in our immediate surroundings—even when we’re caught up in life’s busiest moments.

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