Ici Marseille is a book published on www.blurb.com website - click on the book cover above

 

These images are from a series created between 1988 and 1991 within the city of Marseille, France. Result of long walks in the streets, on the Canebière, the Prado, the square of La Plaine, the harbors, the neighborhood of Le Panier...                                                

My preference going to the neighborhood of Le Panier, the overcrowded and poorly maintained hill as it is nicknamed. The houses were black, the house fronts leprous. Laundry was hanging at the windows and old people sitting on a chair outside the door. Whenever it was the day for street cleaning, water ran down the middle stairways and into the gutters.

Up to now the house fronts are colorful, the narrow streets have lost some of their shadow, iron curtains have been opened and cafés have spread their terraces. The church La Major also is  bright again.

And also there is the sea...