Les Yeux dans les Bleus: Stéphane Meunier’s Intimate Photo Album of France ’98
Les Bleus dans ses yeux: Stéphane Meunier’s Intimate Photo Album of France ’98
Twenty-seven years after capturing France’s World Cup triumph from the inside with his legendary documentary Les Yeux dans les Bleus, Stéphane Meunier is back with a new treasure. On September 13 and 14, 2025, around forty never-before-seen photographs, taken spontaneously during the tournament, were exhibited for the very first time… hosted at the Helinox HCC store and organized by the media collective Why Always Loge.
An intimate look, far from the spotlight
Known for his unique immersion with Les Bleus, Meunier also carried a simple Instamatic camera alongside his film equipment. Without artistic ambition or exhibition plans, he captured fleeting moments of daily life, much like filling a notebook or a family album. Zidane on a bike, Thuram getting his head shaved, jerseys hanging in the locker room before the final… fragments of memory that today resurface with striking emotional power.
The spirit of ’98, passed down through generations
Why reveal these photos now? According to Meunier, it was a matter of time. France ’98 has become a myth, passed down between generations, symbolizing a lighter and more united era. When Why Always Loge, a media collective of passionate thirty-somethings raised on the legend of ’98, approached him, their enthusiasm convinced him to finally share these hidden gems.
From documentary to myth
Les Yeux dans les Bleus already played a key role in building the legend of this victory, giving the public unprecedented access to the inner life of the French team. Released just two days after the final, the film extended the euphoria of that summer. These photos now add another layer: they reveal the human side of the champions, their camaraderie, their simplicity, and the collective strength that defined July 1998.
Helinox HCC: a space for memory and shared values
Hosting this exhibition at Helinox HCC was a natural fit. Just as France ’98 embodied unity, collective spirit, and authenticity, Helinox embraces those same values by placing innovation, community, and passion at the heart of its projects. We are proud to have provided the setting for these historic images, where memory, emotion, and inspiration converge.
A living memory
Some of these images may remain unseen until future exhibitions. However, a selection is now available online through the Jean-Denis Walter gallery. Not every photo from the exhibition is accessible there, but this curated collection offers fans a unique opportunity to experience part of this extraordinary visual archive.
About the Artist
In 1998, he directed the legendary documentary Les Yeux dans les Bleus, an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the French national football team during their historic World Cup victory. Released just two days after the final, the film became an instant cultural phenomenon and helped to shape the myth of France ’98.
Alongside his film work, Meunier carried a simple Instamatic camera, capturing private, spontaneous moments of the players off the pitch. Zidane on a bicycle, Thuram getting his head shaved, the jerseys waiting in the locker room before the final: these intimate images, originally taken as personal souvenirs, now stand as a rare “family album” of one of France’s greatest sporting triumphs.
Nearly three decades later, these photographs are being exhibited and published, offering a new perspective on a story that continues to inspire generations. Through both his films and his photography, Meunier remains committed to authenticity, emotion, and the human side of great collective moments.
Discover Stéphane Meunier’s work