Photo Exhibition in Sèvres Marks 150 Years of Global Metrology
A new photo exhibition in Sèvres is exploring the science that underpins modern life: metrology
What: Photo exhibition entitled “150th Anniversary of the BIPM – Robert Doisneau and Raphaël Dallaporta”
When and Where
5 April – 31 May 2025 – the Mezzanine, Hôtel de Ville, Sèvres
31 May – 27 September 2025 – Grills of the Hôtel de Ville, Sèvres
Why: Organised by the City of Sèvres in collaboration with the BIPM, the exhibition forms part of the year-long celebrations marking the 150th Anniversary of the Metre Convention across the Paris region.
A story in photographs: where science and art meet
The exhibition brings together the work of two renowned photographers: Robert Doisneau, known for his candid portraits of 20th-century French life, and Raphaël Dallaporta, a contemporary artist celebrated for interpreting scientific and technical subjects through photography. Their contrasting approaches bring both humanity and precision to the story of metrology.
The collection includes never-before-seen images from private archives as well as recent photography taken inside the BIPM laboratories. Together, the works highlight how measurement quietly influences everything—from the second ticking on a clock to the kelvin that ensures the correct temperature to keep vaccines stable.
Extending outdoors, nine large-format photographs are displayed along the gates of the Hôtel de Ville, offering an accessible window into the exhibition and inviting passers-by to reflect on the vital role of measurement in everyday life.
Beyond the lens: a city-wide celebration of measurement
The exhibition is part of a broader programme of public events in Sèvres and Paris, designed to make metrology accessible and engaging for all audiences.
- Throughout April (from 5 to 26 April), the Médiathèque de Sèvres will host an interactive educational exhibition retracing 150 years of the BIPM. Learn more
- On 14 May, Céline Fellag Ariouet, historian and Head of the Executive and Meetings Office at the BIPM, will give a public lecture at Sèvres City Hall, offering insights into the history of the BIPM since 1875 signing of the Metre Convention and recalling the links between the BIPM and Sèvres.
- On 20 May, the BIPM and UNESCO are co-hosting a landmark World Metrology Day Symposium in Paris, focusing on metrology’s role in scientific innovation, sustainable development and international cooperation. Learn more
- The celebrations continue on 21–22 May in Versailles with a high-level Scientific Conference, bringing together experts from national metrology institutes, academia and international organizations to explore the future of measurement. Learn more