New building in the 5th arrondissement of Marseille

Now you see it - now you don't!

Marseille is benefiting from lots of investment  but it comes at a cost. The view from where I stay has been reduced by a new block, blocking the view of the mountains. We enjoyed that view a lot, the photo of the rainbow after a storm was just one of many.

The neutral grey colour of the new building - even viewed by the light of the setting sun, so literally viewed in the most favourable light - doesn't help it fit in with the traditional sand colours of Provence. Presumably the grey is meant to indicate the progressive new technology town. I'm not convinced...

Same problem as with  Not sure I like blue and  End of the Rainbow for St Andrews, Fulham Fields, London

French democracy sounds great "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité) sounds great until you want to change something. The "non" response isn't so great when it's against you. That's one reason there are so many strikes in France.

Anyhow despite the lack of possibility of objecting to loosing one's view, Marseille in August still has the fine Provence weather, the open windows of apartements in classy Haussman style streets ring out with music from Carmen to Soprano and the food and wine remain incomparable.