I first visited Paris as a photographer in the late 70s, when I organised a field trip for SACI students, a study abroad school in Florence, to the Mois de la Photo, a Photography Biennial held in the fall. 

I worked exclusively in black and white, and the soft, overcast light of Paris in autumn perfectly suited my style. Urban transformation has always fascinated me, and Paris has seen major changes. One example is Les Halle, the iconic market I first visited during its dismantling. I’ve followed its reconstruction over the years, capturing the changes as the space evolved. During this time, I also witnessed the construction of the Centre Georges Pompidou, a landmark of modern architecture that reshaped the cultural landscape of the city.

Returning regularly for two decades, I became increasingly intrigued by how Paris’s peripheries have transformed. I returned to La Villette, now a hub for culture, education, and recreation. I’ve documented La Défense, with its towering, futuristic buildings, and I’m particularly drawn to the National Library, named after President Mitterrand, on the southern bank of the Seine.