Loin de l’Inde tourbillonnante qui ne semble jamais dormir, le Ladakh semble être une enclave préservée et hors du temps.
Le « petit Tibet » tranche avec le reste de l’Inde par ses incroyables paysages minéraux, et ses habitants, de culture, religion et langue tibétaines.
L’été, la population de Leh passe de 22 000 habitants, à plus de 200 000… Spot prisé par les trekkeurs, le Ladakh se développe rapidement depuis quelques années.
Pourtant les habitants de la ville semblent vouloir préserver leur culture et entretiennent la vieille ville historique en rénovant d’anciennes maisons ladakhi traditionnelles.
A life in altitude … Leh, Ladakh, 3500m above sea level.
Far from swirling India that never seems to sleep, Ladakh seems to be an enclave preserved and out of time. « Little Tibet » contrasts with the rest of India by its incredible mineral landscapes, and its inhabitants, with a culture, religion and Tibetan language. During summertime, the population of Leh increases from 22,000 inhabitants to more than 200,000 … Important trekkingspot, Ladakh has been growing rapidly in recent years. Yet the inhabitants of the city seem to want to preserve their culture and maintain the historic old town by renovating old traditional ladakhi houses.

Leh, capital of Ladakh

Leh, Old town

Tsemo Castle, above Leh old town

Leh Palace

Leh, old traditional house

Leh, one of the city gate

Leh Panorama with the Palace

Ladakhi women dressed with traditional costumes for a ceremony


Archery is part of Ladakhi traditional sports, present at all festivals

Ladakhi women wearing Perak, headdress traditionally used in weddings. The number of rows of turquoise indicates the degree of wealth of the family.



View of Leh from Shanti Stupa, on the road to Khardung La Pass, 5359 m, way to the Nubra Valley.

Tsemo castle and Monastery, view from Shanti Stupa.
Le bâtiment dans lequel j’ai eu la chance de travailler : le Lamo, Ladakh Arts Media Organisation date du 17e siècle, il se situe à quelques enjambées du palais du Roi qui abritait autrefois le Secrétaire du Roi du Ladakh, dans les hauteurs de la vieille ville. Ce bâtiment a été rénové sur l’initiative d’une femme originaire de Bombay, spécialiste des textiles indiens et ladakhi.
Le Lamo a été rénové durant 5 ans, en respectant la tradition architecturale ladakhi. La cuisine, d’époque, abrite encore le four en pierre de plus de 400 ans. Aujourd’hui c’est un centre d’art contemporain qui expose de jeunes artistes locaux talentueux, des conférences, des ateliers, des concerts…
The place in which I had the chance to work: the Lamo, Ladakh Arts Media Organization has been built in the 17th century, it is within walking distance of the King’s Palace which once housed the Secretary of the King of Ladakh, in the heights of the old City. This building was renovated on the initiative of a woman from Bombay, specialized in Indian and Ladakhi. The Lamo has been renovated for 5 years, respecting the ladakhi architectural tradition. The kitchen still houses the stone oven over more than 400 years. Today it is a center of contemporary art that exhibs young talented local artists, conferences, workshops, concerts…


From the upper terrace, view on the Palace.

Lamo second floor, work room and Library

Traditional ladakhi music concert at Lamo.

Kitchen with the traditional oven.

Exhibition room, ground floor