Air France - Les iles Bahamas Circa 2000

Published around 2000, this original Air France travel poster features a breathtaking aerial photograph by the internationally acclaimed French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, promoting the pristine beauty of the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas. Part of Air France's celebrated destination series, the poster captures one of the Caribbean's most spectacular natural landscapes from the unique perspective that made Arthus-Bertrand famous.

The composition showcases the extraordinary coral islands and sandbanks of the Exumas, where brilliant turquoise lagoons, dazzling white sandbars, and deep sapphire waters create an almost abstract mosaic of color and form. Viewed from above, the islands appear like floating sculptures surrounded by shifting currents and shallow reefs, revealing patterns invisible from the ground. The minimalist typography, dominated by the title "Les Îles", reinforces the elegance of the image while allowing the natural beauty of the Bahamas to take center stage.

Stretching across more than 365 islands and cays, the Exuma archipelago is one of the most celebrated destinations in the Bahamas. Its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, secluded beaches, and exceptional marine life have made it a paradise for sailors, divers, and nature lovers. The region is home to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, established in 1958 as one of the world's first protected marine parks, preserving an extraordinary ecosystem of coral reefs, mangroves, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and other wildlife.

The photograph forms part of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's pioneering aerial work, which transformed landscape photography by revealing the graphic beauty of the Earth from above. Best known for his landmark project Earth from Above (La Terre vue du Ciel), Arthus-Bertrand developed a distinctive visual language in which geography becomes both documentary and abstract art. His images celebrate the diversity and fragility of the planet while inspiring a renewed appreciation for its natural wonders.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Air France commissioned a series of sophisticated photographic travel posters that departed from traditional illustrated tourism advertising. By collaborating with photographers such as Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the airline created campaigns that emphasized spectacular landscapes and world-class destinations, reinforcing its image as France's premier international carrier connecting travelers to every corner of the globe.

Original Air France posters from this period were produced for display in travel agencies, airline offices, and promotional exhibitions. As advertising campaigns evolved and were regularly replaced, surviving examples have become increasingly collectible among enthusiasts of aviation history, travel photography, and contemporary graphic design.

Today, Air France – Les Îles, Bahamas – Îlots Coralliens des Exumas remains one of the finest examples of modern travel advertising. Combining extraordinary aerial photography with elegant graphic design, it celebrates the timeless beauty of the Bahamas while capturing the spirit of exploration and escape that has long defined luxury travel.

Original Poster

Airline - Tourism - Ecology - Bahamas

Exuma coral islands

Good condition