In Allauch,
It is a priori a Wednesday like any other, as there have been hundreds in the past in Allauch. The autumn sun shines with light on the market stalls of this small town on the outskirts of Marseille. But a few details ring a bell. First there is the curiously impossible search for a parking space to park your car. There are trucks and barriers at the entrance to the village. And, on a post, discreetly, a sign with the following words: “+ Pblv”. At the bend of the streets, when you deviate a little from the fruits and vegetables of the market to enter the historic center which looks like a Provençal village, a voice rings out. “Quiet, it’s running!” “. A surprising ballet plays out before Michel’s eyes. “Usually, here, it’s rather calm,” laughs this long-time Allaudian.
Behind a ribbon which prevents him from crossing, the man sees actors from the series in the distance. More beautiful life at work. “Cut!” » Work in a nearby building resumes and the Allaudians step up in groups, while the technicians make their adjustments. This Wednesday, the teams of the famous soap opera filmed their first scenes in a remastered rue Pierre Queirel to now become the new Place du Mistral in More beautiful life.
“Tomorrow I will come back with my camera!” »
The set of the old Place du Mistral having been destroyed after the series was stopped by France Télévisions, TF1 has in fact set its sights on the center of Allauch to film part of the scenes, and in particular the emblematic place of the most famous district in France. A spectacle that will amaze onlookers. “Going back and forth like that will make you feel dizzy,” Michèle teases facing the extras who pace the cobblestones. The old lady regularly comes to stroll through the Allauch market, before playing lotto at the Hostellerie bar, on the famous square. But this Wednesday morning, no jackpot for Michèle as she explains with a laugh, her eyes glued to the filming in front of her. “I didn’t know there was this filming, but I stayed. It keeps me busy, you know. It’s a change from the routine. But you know, I have a camera at home. Tomorrow I will come back with my camera to film this and show the grandchildren! »
Rue Pierre Queirel is indeed unrecognizable to say the least. A fake medical office of doctors “Riva” and “Nebout”, unknown to the battalion, sprung up during the night. The town hall has been transformed into a police headquarters. The surrounding businesses no longer have the same names, and the famous Hostellerie bar so dear to Michèle has been renamed the “Mistral bar. »
” We love More beautiful life »
Its owner looks at the scene, amazed. On filming days, the cafe owner is compensated, the production having privatized his establishment. “There, they are there three days, and I close for them,” explains Jeff with the same astonishment. I bought the bar on June 15th. And at the end of the summer, they came to see me saying that there was going to be this filming and the production asked me if I was interested. I said there was no problem. And so, they redid the front for me with Le Mistral. It’s really awesome. To be honest, it’s a hell of an ad. It’s going to bring people, including my home! For the municipality, this is a huge plus. We must revive this village. When we know how many tourists there were at Le Panier before, I sincerely hope that it will be the same here. All the merchants in the village are waiting for this! Since they announced it, a lot of people have come, tourists, people who came to see where it was going. Lots of journalists too! »
You just need to look a little further to prove him right. A few meters away, a young woman approaches a technician, whispering. “How does it work to make up the numbers? » Magalie is an unconditional fan of the series. “I came from Marseille on purpose,” she explains. I love this series, and when I saw in a TV report that they were filming in Allauch, I looked around. I went to the town hall to ask for the municipal decrees to find out when they were filming! Before, I went to the studio at Belle de Mai. I’ve seen the actors quite a few times already. I even spent evenings with some! I can’t wait for it to start again. I missed it! ” ” We love More beautiful life, continues her neighbor. There are even people who came from Belgium today. » “I’ve been a fan of the series since the beginning,” enthuses Marie-Jeanne. I love them all! And I came on purpose to see them. I am so happy ! »
Of all the Allaudians, the happiest among them is surely the mayor, Lionel de Cala, who does not shy away from his pleasure when he brings up the subject. “I knew the strength of the brand and its resonance,” explains the councilor. But as soon as it was made official, there was an effect of curiosity, of people coming to discover the place. And we already feel an effect More beautiful life on the commune which shows that we were right to be a candidate. Every year, Allauch records 10,000 visitors. My goal is to double attendance in the summer of 2024. If the series is broadcast at the start of the year, this can contribute to it, and ultimately benefit our artisans, merchants and restaurateurs. In the agreement that we signed, production was also committed to local consumption when possible. And we will work with our tourism office to offer a route for fans. » . For its last season, according to data from Médiamétrie, More beautiful life attracted an average of 2.7 million viewers.