“He went down the Nationale 7 for a reportage I find interesting: working on light in colour. He’s got a good sense of framing and a real freedom of approach. At last a young photographer looking at France - and in colour, what’s more!”
Raymond Depardon
 
What's left…?
I had enough of the beret, the breadstick and Charles Trenet. I wanted to wring the neck of Sweet France and the TV news. I wanted to repeat a trip to the United States left unfinished a year early. So I set out along our National 7, the way you go down Route 66. Maximum 50 km per day to make the distance last and pretend I was going a long way. I spent most of my time in suburbs. After a week’s travelling I was in Nevers, with the impression of being at the other end of the world, in Omaha, Nebraska. What had happened to our good old national myths? Paid leave, setting off on holidays, the accordion at the bal musette, the Tour de France and our shortlived heroes? I made these pictures in 24x36 at 35 and 50. I wanted absolutely basic equipment that wouldn’t interfere with my way of seeing. I wanted discretion, wanted to pass unnoticed. In spite of everything, I was often afraid. With my Leica around my neck people took me for a cop, a paedophile or a serial killer - but hardly ever a photographer. Gilles Leimdorfer