In spring 2026, eight international Spéos students took part in a unique photographic project at the Palais de la Femme, a social institution run by the Salvation Army Foundation in Paris’s 11th arrondissement.
Originally from India, Australia, the United States, Belgium, Greece and France, the students spent several weeks at the Palais de la Femme, meeting the women and men who keep the institution running every day. Their work resulted in the exhibition “The Professions of the Palais de la Femme”, presented from May 11 to 19, 2026, in the building’s main hall.
The Palais de la Femme: a historic place dedicated to support and inclusion
Located at 94 rue de Charonne in Paris, the Palais de la Femme is part of the Salvation Army Foundation. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, it became, in 1926 under the leadership of Blanche and Albin Peyron, a place dedicated to welcoming and supporting women in vulnerable situations.
Today, the Palais de la Femme continues this mission by providing accommodation, social support and integration services. Housed in an Art Nouveau building listed as a historic monument, it welcomes several hundred residents and brings together numerous professionals committed to supporting them.
Photographing professions that often remain unseen
This exhibition was born from a series of encounters. Over several weeks, the students observed, listened and patiently waited for the right moment to create their photographs.
In total, 18 members of staff agreed to share their daily work in front of the camera, representing 14 different professions. From the teams responsible for maintaining the building’s 13,000 square metres to those supporting residents in rebuilding their lives, the exhibition highlights the richness and complementarity of essential professions that too often remain behind the scenes.
A collective exhibition
Presented from May 11 to 19, 2026, the exhibition offered visitors the opportunity to discover the perspectives of Spéos students on the many professions that make the Palais de la Femme such a unique place.
Once the exhibition had been installed, Béatrice Catinat, who initiated the project, praised the students’ work, saying she was “absolutely thrilled with the result” and describing their photographs as “beautiful.”
A hands-on experience for Spéos students
This exhibition gave the students the opportunity to carry out a documentary photography project in the field while helping to showcase the women and men who bring the Palais de la Femme to life every day. Spéos warmly thanks the Palais de la Femme, the Salvation Army Foundation, Béatrice Catinat, and all the staff members who agreed to take part in this wonderful photographic adventure.
