aixcentric

The president of PACA, Christian Estrosi, has expressed his desire to get the Villa Mediterranée off his hands asap.  If  you haven’t been following the saga, here’s a brief overview of this 73m building: https://aixcentric.com/2015/01/17/marseilles-villa-mediterranee-what-is-its-future/

Now I am reading there are two plans for it, one conventional and one very much not! – I wonder which they will choose?

The former president Michel Vauzelle wants it to be a home to the ‘Parlement de la Mediterranean’ which currently sits in Malta.  (Did we know this existed? Have I missed something?) Anyway apparently the decision will be taken this month in Rome and officialised in Porto in February.

But La Provence is also reporting that it could be the site for a reproduction of the Grotte Cosquer!

This is a cave of ancient art, 37m deep under the sea near the calanque de Morgiou, and reachable by intrepid divers who have to negotiate a 175m tunnel.  There’s film of it here if you can bear to watch: https://vimeo.com/92945642

The sea level has risen hugely since these ancient people used this cave as shelter but they have left 65 hand-prints (27,000 years old) and 177 drawings of animals including jellyfish (19,000 years old).

This could be precisely and convincingly recreated as has happened at Lascaux and more recently in the Ardeche.  I think this would be an extraordinary experience, magical for children, a great magnet for tourists and yet another big plus for Marseille.

I wonder which solution will win the day?