Poisson surréaliste Cote d'Azur SNCF 1972

Published in 1972, this original SNCF travel poster by celebrated French painter and designer Roger Bezombes promotes the Côte d'Azur through a bold and imaginative composition that departs from traditional travel imagery. Rather than illustrating beaches or coastal landmarks, Bezombes employs his distinctive surrealist-inspired visual language to evoke the artistic spirit, vibrant colors, and Mediterranean atmosphere of the French Riviera.

At the center of the composition is a fantastical surrealist fish, assembled from an intricate collage of geometric forms, botanical motifs, ceramics, and abstract decorative elements. Floating against vivid fields of crimson red and deep blue, the fish becomes a symbolic representation of the Mediterranean Sea, while its richly textured surface recalls the artistic traditions, flora, and luminous light that have long inspired painters working along the Côte d'Azur. The result is a poster that functions as both a travel advertisement and a work of modern art.

Roger Bezombes (1913–1994) was one of France's leading decorative artists of the twentieth century. A painter, muralist, illustrator, tapestry designer, and poster artist, he became renowned for his highly personal style that combined abstraction, symbolism, and rich ornamental detail. Throughout his career, Bezombes created numerous official commissions for cultural institutions, international exhibitions, and French tourism campaigns, always bringing a painter's sensibility to graphic design.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF) commissioned several major contemporary artists to reinterpret France's regions through modern artistic expression. These ambitious campaigns marked a departure from conventional travel posters, transforming railway advertising into a showcase for contemporary French art. Bezombes' Côte d'Azur poster is among the finest examples of this creative period.

The Côte d'Azur has long attracted artists, writers, and travelers drawn by its exceptional light, Mediterranean climate, picturesque fishing villages, and glamorous seaside resorts. From Saint-Tropez and Cannes to Nice, Antibes, and Menton, the region became one of Europe's foremost cultural and holiday destinations throughout the twentieth century. Rather than illustrating a specific location, Bezombes captures the Riviera's creative energy and sensory richness through symbolism and color.

Originally displayed in railway stations and travel agencies across France and abroad, SNCF posters from this era were printed in relatively limited quantities for promotional campaigns and were not intended for long-term preservation. Today, they are highly sought after for their artistic quality, historical significance, and their unique place at the intersection of modern art and travel advertising.

Today, Poisson Surréaliste – Côte d'Azur stands as one of Roger Bezombes' most distinctive travel posters. Combining surrealist imagination with the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean, it remains a remarkable example of French graphic design and one of the most original SNCF posters of the 1970s.

Original Poster

Côte d'Azur - Chemin de Fer

French National Railways

Printed by Mourlot in France

Good condition