Rivages

Marseille has come out ! It is official, she likes the sea even though her boats rarely leave the port. She is taking even more care of her beaches by installing showers, toilets, trash cans and storage facilities. Her view is even wider than her shore, just like this attractive bench facing the sea at Les Catalans (see Cover). But Marseille is sometimes overzealous in her frenzy to beautify her coastline; a number of small “cabanons” (huts) and beach restaurants were built without permission. Yet with time, are they not part of the decor and even contribute to the popular charm of our coastline, like the pizza trucks at the intersections of our avenues? Let us hope that the current reprieves will be transformed in permanent authorisation so that the uncertain shoreline become a popular venue instead of a promenade without taste or smell.  

Marseille has come out ! It is official, she likes the sea even though her boats rarely leave the port. She is taking even more care of her beaches by installing showers, toilets, trash cans and storage facilities. Her view is even wider than her shore, just like this attractive bench facing the sea at Les Catalans (see Cover). But Marseille is sometimes overzealous in her frenzy to beautify her coastline; a number of small “cabanons” (huts) and beach restaurants were built without permission. Yet with time, are they not part of the decor and even contribute to the popular charm of our coastline, like the pizza trucks at the intersections of our avenues? Let us hope that the current reprieves will be transformed in permanent authorisation so that the uncertain shoreline become a popular venue instead of a promenade without taste or smell.