The Photographic Chronicles – Week 10 – Weekend in Basel

Continuation of the Photographic Chronicles with a selection of shots from week ten.

This week, I took advantage of a weekend in Basel, Switzerland, to feed the Photographic Chronicles. It had been a while since I left the Paris region, and I must admit, as soon as I arrived at the station, I felt that particular sensation that always overwhelms me when I discover a new city.

Between Artistic Stimulation and Fatigue

When you constantly see the same landscapes, you eventually grow numb, you get bored. It's a feeling that comes over me quite quickly, and I constantly fight against it. This is one of the reasons why I often go to places like the Forest of Montmorency or along the Marne, as you may have seen in previous weekly summaries.

If I listened to myself and had the means, I would spend the year on the road, exploring the world. In the meantime, this week, my steps led me to Basel, in the German-speaking part of Switzerland!

So, what to say about this city?

I was greeted with a contrasting weather pattern: sunny and warm days with temperatures around 20 degrees, followed by freezing nights where the thermometer consistently dropped below zero.

What’s the importance of this when it comes to photography?

Two things. First, as everyone knows, the light is softer in winter, and the cold mornings only enhance this light. Along the Rhine, this was certainly the case. I was able to capture beautiful morning atmospheres with the cathedral in the background, reminding me of the scenes I photographed in Angers, as you can see here.

The second reason, as I mentioned, is that Basel is located along the Rhine. And like in all cities by a river, as soon as the sun shines, people flock to the quays. It was therefore the perfect opportunity to capture lively and joyful scenes of daily life.

Finally, I was struck by the impressive number of cyclists and trams crisscrossing the city. This aspect reminded me of Flemish cities like Ghent, Amsterdam, or Antwerp, which I’m showcasing a few photos of here.