Provence is famous for its endless lavender fields. But this dream landscape also has a beautiful maritime side: the Côte Bleue! Small hidden beaches, charming harbor towns, imposing rocky bays and this unique, clear light already attracted painters like Cézanne or Braque here. The deep blue water gave the coast its name, which stretches from Marseille to Martigues. The town is also called the "Venice of Provence" because it is entirely shaped by water: an inland lake, the sea and the connecting canal.
The cliff diver of the Calaques
In the bays of the Calanques, the steep-walled coastal inlets in the limestone of the Mediterranean, Lionel Franc jumps into the depths: headfirst and with the utmost elegance. He is the master of all cliff jumpers here, a level-headed man who knows what he is doing. 36 meters is his personal record. His leg was severely injured in a very trivial traffic accident. Since then he has been fighting his way back to life, back to cliff diving. Lionel regularly passes on his sophisticated technique and philosophy to children and young people. Two of his protégés are ready for their own record: 12 and 18 meters!
When Gérard Carrodano's phone rings, it's usually a renowned aquarium on the line. The famous Musée Océanographique has just ordered an octopus. Gérard now has 48 hours to deliver a magnificent specimen, unharmed of course. And off he dives into the Mediterranean.
Handmade boule balls
Ambinintsoa Andriankajarivelo, known as Ambi, is a sculptor. A dynamic swing characterizes the works of the young artist, who came to Marseille from Madagascar with her parents many years ago. She also demonstrates this drive as a passionate pétanque player on the boules courts of the port city. Another tournament is coming up. For a new set of boule balls, she discusses every detail with the experts at the factory: material, weight, ribbing. At "Boule Bleue," Ambi also has her name engraved. This is also possible in the oldest boule factory in the world, founded in 1904 by Félix Rofritsch, a captain on a great voyage.
The painter of the navy
John Pendray has also often sailed the world's oceans as Peintre officiel de la Marine, official marine painter. This institution exists only in France. Acceptance into the creative circle is tantamount to a knighthood among artists; only 40 marine painters are appointed by the French state. John, a British-French citizen, received this honor in 2001. He landed in Marseille because of love, having studied graphic arts and design and also having designed metro stations. As an official marine painter, he receives no salary, but reaps plenty of honor and wears a smart uniform! Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
