Main content

Marseille: France’s crumbling city

In France’s second city, the collapse of two buildings killing eight people has prompted popular anger and political scandal. So why is Marseille falling apart?

On the 5 November last year, two apartment buildings collapsed in Marseille’s historic centre. Eight people died in a tragedy which has sent shockwaves through France’s second city, and the country.

The accident sheds light on something that residents have been saying for years: Marseille’s city centre is falling apart. After decades of neglect by slum landlords, the poor, multi-ethnic area in the heart of the city is in a desperate state of disrepair. In a frantic attempt to avoid further disasters, the local government has evacuated thousands of residents from the area - and hundreds are still staying in hotels.

This tragedy has morphed into a political scandal which is shaken Marseille to the core – and anger at the local authorities is still palpable.

Presenter: Lucy Ash
Producer: Josephine Casserly

(Photo: Graffiti in the neighbourhood of Noailles, Marseille. Credit: Ö÷²¥´óÐã)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Jun 2019 04:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 27 Jun 2019 12:32GMT
  • Thu 27 Jun 2019 17:06GMT
  • Thu 27 Jun 2019 21:06GMT
  • Fri 28 Jun 2019 01:32GMT
  • Sat 29 Jun 2019 15:06GMT
  • Sun 30 Jun 2019 04:32GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes