If you asked photographer Jean-François Marin to describe the Wallis and Futuna Islands, he would tell you how struck he was by their great isolation which has kept them untouched. It's a place where you feel a bit like Robinson Crusoe. The flowers, the fruit, the fishermen returning from their catch, these surroundings are pristine. The locals are self-sufficient, planting and cultivating the land, free of all ties. It's like discovering a new world that belongs to no one else but you..
The fragrance of tiare (gardenia) breezes through the islands, The garlands made of a blend of flowers and fabrics are meticulously assembled every day. They are given as gifts. I had a roomful and couldn't bring myself to throw them away.
Ha’afuasia lake in the Ha Haque district.
Bird's eye view of the Nukutapu islet and the lagoon reef north of Wallis.
The traditional Umu oven. You dig a hole in the ground, add wood and stones, then cover it with banana leaves in which you cook the ingredients for fours hours.
Youngsters from the village swim in the evening under the Vainifao waterfall on Futuna.
In the village of Ono, in the Alo kingdom on Futuna. At nightfall, the men prepare the kava, a traditional root-based drink. Its earthy licorice taste makes me feel sleepy.
In February, the young students leave the island to study in Wallis or mainland France. They will be gone for at least a year and you can see the sadness on the faces of their families.
As the festivities approach, the men train for a canoe race in Wallis lagoon.
It's so hot that if you dive in fully clothed, you'll be dry again in 15 minutes.
An ancient Tongan fort in Talietumu.
The island's youngsters prepare for a spiritual retreat on Futuna.
By Jean-François Marin
Jean-François Marin set out 20 years ago to create a series of photographs documenting the insular character of these outlying French territories. The project includes places chosen for their unique geographic and human conditions, with shots that range from colour landscapes to black and white portraits.
