Modeste CHAMBAY was a French painter and photographer, born in 1827 in Damigny and died in 1899 in Condé Sur Sarthe. He started his studio activity in 1865, under the Photography brand at the Grand Hotel. He succeeded Alphonse MAZE in 1870 and settled in Paris 25 Avenue Montaigne, then 12 Bd des Capucines in 1873 and 33 Rue Victor Massé in 1892. He edited views of Overseas, Mauritius and Saint-Hélène. He opened a branch in Mauritius. He was also associated with a certain Lecorgne, a specialist in identity photographs of Indian immigrants to Mauritius in 1866-1867.