The book by Cécile Poujol and Maguelonne Turcat is called THE SHIPYARDS OF LA CIOTAT – FROM THE SEA TO THE MOON. Such a title is revealed throughout the reading of this work as both scientific and popularizing. It acts as an open door to the daily lives of thousands of people, men and women (although the majority of workers are male). Different stories and unique paths, specific to each person in this immense “enterprise” that are the shipyards of La Ciotat, in the South of France, on the Mediterranean coast. Why “from the sea to the moon”? Perhaps for the dream of aiming so high, and above all, for what the sea represents: a strange, intangible place where specific technologies are used, solicited in the space conquest. After all, space exploration is to this day more flourishing than the depths of our planet’s seas… Enough to arouse fascination and perhaps a hint of misunderstanding.
Cécile Poujol’s humility promises a gentle and interesting reading experience, made of poignant testimonies. All the characters are iconic in their own way and reflect a reality of this universe that seems closed, reserved for men and people born in La Ciotat. However, this is not the case: the workforce of foreign origin is much more qualified than the majority of French youth. This bittersweet observation proves not only that France is opening up to the skills of other countries but that it is taking advantage of these very specific competencies, necessary for ultra-precise maritime sector exploitation. Through raising awareness among a wider audience: high school students, women, and prisoners, the “made in France” share could be enriched and complement this already well-established presence. Thanks to the associations that have enabled such an authentic approach, Cécile embarks on a human adventure. In contact with experts and site regulars, the navigator makes the reader want to take an interest in the unique course, one of a kind, that envelops this historical place and continues to haunt it.
For many “old-timers,” these “kids” of La Ciotat, the shipyards evoke the tragedy of a crisis where workers put pressure, where they fought against the site’s closure. A little more than a hundred people sought to save the place in vain. It was not until the early 2000s that the marine phoenix was reborn. This nostalgia is felt in all those who have known this dramatic event but which is nonetheless part of the past. Today, the Ciotadens are turned towards the future. If it seems to be shaping up on a large scale, that is away from the locals, La Ciotat is regaining its splendor, and foreign countries are turning towards its potential.
In these particular and sublime places, it’s hard to imagine that large cranes dot the turquoise landscape of this bay, voted the most beautiful in the world in 2019. Yet, biodiversity is a major protection objective, noticeable in numerous testimonies of people working directly in contact with the ships and therefore with pollutants. The purity of the water must be preserved: concerns found in Rémy Janoyer, the oceanographer, and the only woman interviewed, Carole Chaize as well as Arnaud Barlatier.
THE SHIPYARDS OF LA CIOTAT – FROM THE SEA TO THE MOON is a book of about a hundred pages, including twelve portraits. The people approached are human: each brought their baggage with them to these shipyards. Many of them have pledged to this career by blood and family. Others have chosen to invest, aware of the potential that the shipyards of La Ciotat represent. Whether one is a new owner or a site regular, all the people interviewed in this book are devoted to La Ciotat. They are all concerned about this uncertain future, which only asks to rekindle the flame of the old dream. This enthusiasm should be able to reach young readers, who might discover a sudden interest in this shipyard that has meant so much to the elders. Today, the stakes are more pressing than ever: thanks to the revitalization of the shipyard, new players have entered the field, including brand new technologies and world-unique initiatives.
This book is an intimate journey that opens onto a special world, a microcosm within a France specializing in the sea, the second-largest maritime empire in the world. Yet, the threat of losing authenticity is very present, with increasingly marked competition. Without solid encouragement from new generations, the know-how will disappear. Therefore, the dynamism must persist, to ensure a bright future for this site in La Ciotat and its shipyard, which is a true national pride. This book can be praised for its human approach and the moral and intellectual values of the people interviewed, but also for its impact on the reader, who visits from afar this bay, through pages illustrated by the drawings of Lili Le Gouvello.
