In this time of elections, what do we really know about the diversity of the French? Photography has, on numerous occasions, provided us with the opportunity to see (exhibitions or books) giant and costly frescos of the French countryside, but very little about its inhabitants, their lifestyles and their mindsets! Two photoreporters, Gilles Bassignac and Jean-Michel Turpin, are offering a response to that question.

Last year in May, they approached the “Figaro Magazine” with the following project “Meet the French, to reveal what they have in common: what does it mean to be French, to live together and share the same land, France. These men and women, rich of their culture and diversities – young or old, rich or poor, white or black, blue collar workers or farmers, unemployed or business owners, Christians, Muslims or Buddhists, from left to right – we will paint a portrait and let them each respond, in front of the camera, to the same five questions: “What is France to you? What was your most recent patriotic emotion? Who most symbolizes France? What is your favorite place in France? Do you have a dream for you country?” and to finish, they would sing the Marseillaise.”
The adventure began in July in a camping car, “the most appropriate way to be free and meet people haphazardly”.

You can read Bernard Perrine’s full text in the French version of La Lettre de la Photographie.

Les français dans l'objectif
Jean-Michel Turpin & Gilles Bassignac

Texts : Gérard Mermet
Éditions de la Martinière
288 pages format 230x210mm