Our drone in the plume of boats in the port of Marseille

July 27, 2021

Our drone in the plume of boats in the port of Marseille

Our mission: to position the drone in the middle of the plume of a ferry entering or leaving the port of Marseille

At the beginning of July 2021, we were at the port of Marseille with our “technical” drone, the M200 from DJI, able to carry the gas analysis sensor, the BH-12 from the Finnish company Aeromon.

We will detail here in pictures what precisely consisted of our participation in the second phase of air quality measurements in the framework of the European research project SCIPPER* (Shipping Contributions to Inland Pollutions – Push for the Enforcement of Regulations) gathering dozens of scientists from France, Finland, Sweden and Greece. To learn more about phase 1, which was held in Marseille in September 2019, we invite you to read our first article presenting the ins and outs of this campaign, as well as the characteristics of the BH-12 module with gas analysis sensors.

Reminder: The main objective of this measurement operation in 2021 is to compare the data with those collected in 2019, during the 1st campaign in the harbor of Marseille, and which was held prior to the entry into force of the new international regulation – January 1, 2020 – whose purpose is to impose a reduction in the content of sulfur oxides in the emissions produced by all ships worldwide (the maximum tolerance threshold is reduced from 3.5% to 0.5% or 7 times less!)

Every morning, the BH-12 module must be calibrated by “sniffing” a given gas, stored in a cylinder. This operation is essential to be sure of the accuracy of the measurement, and takes about one hour.

Our mission: for each ship analyzed, we had to position the drone in the heart of the plume of the ferry entering or leaving the port of Marseille, for a minimum of one minute, in order to allow the BH-12 analysis module to acquire enough qualitative data on the composition of the air coming out of the stacks of each ship monitored.Nothing is left to chance.

The M200 drone with the BH-12 being calibrated on the Digue du Large, at the GPMM. It is 6:00 am, the first ferries are expected at 6:45 am.

Technical means used for this measurement campaign:

In the air: a Matrice 200 drone carrying the Aeromon BH-12 gas sensor module, operated by a single drone pilot.
On the ground: a computer connected by internet to the Aeromon BH-12, allowing to see in quasi-direct the level curve of the various gases present in the analyzed air

The M200 UAV with the BH-12 in flight behind the plume of a ship leaving the GPMM of Marseille through the North pass.

Method of placing the drone in the heart of the smoke plume: To do this, we used the FPV camera of the drone to visualize in real time the positioning of the drone in flight in the smoke emitted – most of the time – at the back of the measured ferry. We say most of the time, because with the wind that sometimes blew quite strong, the plumes were on the side, or spinning. In this case, the quality of the measurement was poor because the wind dissipated the smoke and gases emitted much too quickly to allow time for analysis. The power of Aeromon’s measurement system is to be able to visualize the result of the measurement almost live. During each flight we knew whether we had interesting data or not. Based on the gas level curve displayed on the screen, our pilot followed the directions of the Aeromon engineer and was able to place the drone and the sensor even better in the center of the plume.

The Drone-Pictures remote pilot side by side with the Aeromon technician during each air quality measurement flight. Seawall, South pass at the level of the Vigie Sainte-Marie, Port GPMM in Marseille. La Major in the background.

Permits question : In addition to the usual but nonetheless mandatory prior declarations of flight in urban areas to the Bouches du Rhone prefecture, we had to obtain that of the Port of Marseille and those of the ferry companies that we were going to approach by drone. Each ship’s captain knew that he was going to be potentially overflown by a sniffer drone. This was to prevent any alarm or panic among crews or passengers. Note that we were not authorized to approach these ships at less than 50 meters. The drone – approved to fly in cities or populated areas, equipped as it should be with parachutes, was therefore always kept above the water. A temporary access was granted to us to access and move by car along the Digue du Large, from the south channel to the north channel, at the level of the Phares et Balises building.

Final checks before the takeoff of the Drone-Pictures M200 drone and the Aeromon sniffer module. Nothing is left to chance.

6:45 am on the seawall, Port GPMM in Marseille. A ferry arrives at the port of Marseille from Corsica, through the southern pass.Immediate take-off, despite the gusts of wind. Palais du Pharo in the background. A tricky flight with swirling plumes and a drone that was not well handled. Nevertheless the data will be usable and the M200 will prove to be able to face gusty winds with its atypical load!

We would like to warmly thank all the partners of the SCIPPER project for their confidence, their lighting and their assistance.

* This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, under grant agreement no. 814893.

Aerial view by drone of the Digue du Large, northern pass, at the level of the Phares et Balises building where the scientists had also placed on the ground air analysis systems. Photo © Drone-Pictures Marseille

Drone-Pictures with its M200 drone, and Aeromon with its BH-12 gas sensor device, put at your disposal all their expertise for air quality analysis by drone around or inside your industrial sites, everywhere in France.

Exclusive: Through the golden eyes of the Bonne Mère of Marseille, in video 8K and 3D model !

December 15, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, December 2025: Drone-Pictures films the first 8K drone images of the newly gilded statue of the Virgin Mary and proceeds to model it in 3D!

Matrice 4E en vol à Charleval_DSC1382_redimensionner

3D modeling service of Château Charleval by drone for Provence Art Galerie

October 10, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

3D Modelling of Château Charleval by Drone for Provence Art Galerie

We know Château Charleval (Bouches-du-Rhône, South of France) very well, having filmed it many times since 2021 — both from the ground and from the air — whether capturing the monument itself or the impressive artworks displayed in its galleries and vast park.

In September 2025, we carried out a much more technical mission there, with the goal of creating a three-dimensional model of the site. This process uses drone photogrammetry, which we detail below:

Orthophotograph of Château Charleval and its park during the drone photogrammetry mission.

What is Drone Photogrammetry?

Drone photogrammetry consists of capturing a series of aerial photographs of a site or object from various angles in order to reconstruct an accurate 3D model and a geo-referenced orthophotographic map.

Using specialised software, these images are processed to generate dense point clouds, 3D meshes and measurable topographic data.

This technology delivers centimetre-level accuracy, making it ideal for mapping, topographic surveys, construction site monitoring or building and terrain modelling. Fast, safe and cost-effective, drone photogrammetry is an efficient alternative to traditional surveys, offering a complete, reliable and measurable view of reality.

Topographical Challenges of Château Charleval for 3D Modelling

To capture the images required for the 3D modelling of Château Charleval with centimetre precision, the drone had to fly very close to the building, its roof and façades.

Surrounded by trees and featuring four corner towers, the château required a drone capable of precise automated flight, multi-angle capture and obstacle avoidance.

Our DJI Matrice 4E drone, equipped with an RTK module, provided sub-centimetre positioning accuracy. In certain critical areas, manual intervention was necessary to safely reposition the aircraft and avoid the trees.

The DJI Matrice 4E drone in action during the 3D capture of Château Charleval.

How Does a 3D Capture Mission with a DJI Matrice 4E Work?

A mission carried out with the DJI Matrice 4E drone follows a rigorous process:

Site study and flight planning: defining survey areas, placing ground control points (GCPs) if needed, and programming the mission to ensure optimal image overlap.
Automated flight: equipped with a 20 MP high-resolution sensor and an RTK module, the drone follows precise trajectories to ensure centimetric geolocation of each shot.
Image acquisition: hundreds of photos are taken following a regular grid pattern, at different altitudes and angles.
Post-processing: images are processed with photogrammetry software to generate point clouds, textured 3D models, orthophotographs and measurable topographic data.

For this mission, the Matrice 4E captured over 1,700 20 MP photos around the monument, plus 900 images for the orthophoto of the château and its park. These 2,600 images were processed using Metashape for the 3D model and WebODM for the orthomosaic.

4K video exported from our Metashape software showing the 3D modeling of Château Charleval. The high-resolution .obj file weighs 20 GB and contains 192 million faces. This allows us to achieve near-photographic levels of detail, as can be seen in the views below, taken directly from the 3D model.

Examples of Deliverables Around Château Charleval

Château Charleval 3D © Drone-Pictures.com by Drone-Pictures.com on Sketchfab

From this survey, we delivered to Provence Art Galerie:

High-resolution textured 3D model: 192 million faces, .OBJ file = 20 GB*
Low-resolution textured 3D model: 20 million faces, .GLB file = 500 MB.
Geo-referenced orthophotograph: 137 million pixels, .tif file = 125 MB.
Integration of the orthophoto into Google Maps.
4K 50p videos exported from Metashape, showing the site from different angles.**
Complete post-processing report.

Note: * For online sharing (see our Sketchfab channel for example), the model must be compressed to 100–500 MB while preserving as much visual quality as possible. Various optimisation techniques exist to achieve this. Upon request, we can prepare and deliver an optimised lightweight 3D model for online sharing.

** It is also possible to export as many videos as needed from the 3D model, in high resolution (8 MP in 4K), for use in video edits intended for partners, institutions and the general public.

Examples of 3D mapping and orthophotos created with our DJI Matrice 4E in Provence and Marseille

Why Model a Historic Monument or Landmark Building?

The 3D modelling of a historic monument or landmark offers several advantages:

Heritage preservation: creating an accurate digital copy of the current state of the building, useful in case of degradation or future restoration.
Technical analysis: detecting deformations, monitoring changes over time, assisting architects and conservation experts.
Planning and communication: supporting renovation projects and obtaining permits from heritage institutions.
Cultural and touristic value: enabling virtual visits, integration into interactive applications or digital exhibitions.

In short, to model a monument is to protect, understand and share heritage through technology.

Screen of the Matrice 4E drone remote control during image acquisition above the château’s roof.

Software to View and Use a 3D .OBJ File

Depending on your need — technical (BIM, topography) or visual (presentation, communication) — a .OBJ file can be used with various tools allowing you to analyse, measure, clean or enhance a 3D model derived from photogrammetry.

The BIM (Building Information Modelling) method enables the creation of a digital 3D model of a building or infrastructure, enriched with all its technical data.

Thanks to BIM, architects, engineers and project managers can visualise the project, coordinate works and anticipate needs even before construction begins.
It acts as a digital twin of the building, useful for design, project monitoring and maintenance.

Software	Main Use	View / Visualise	Measure / Analyse	Extract / Convert
Metashape	Photogrammetry	✅	✅	Orthophoto, DEM
Pix4Dmapper	Photogrammetry	✅	✅	BIM, DXF, GeoTIFF
Blender	3D / Rendering	✅✅✅	⚙️ (basic)	Images, animations
ReCap Pro	BIM / Point Cloud	✅	✅✅	Point clouds, orthoviews
Revit / AutoCAD	BIM / CAD	✅	✅✅✅	Plans, sections
CloudCompare	3D Analysis	✅	✅✅✅	Profiles, deviations
QGIS	GIS / Mapping	✅	✅	Profiles, maps
Sketchfab	Web / Presentation	✅✅	❌	3D presentation
Meshlab	Cleaning / Optimisation	✅	⚙️	.OBJ, .PLY, .STL
RealityCapture	Professional Photogrammetry	✅✅	✅	Orthophoto, DEM

Surschiste - Film de présentation des activités © Drone-Pictures.com - 4K-00001028_redimensionner

Corporate Film for Surschiste: Showcasing 60 Years of Industrial Innovation

September 11, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

Surschiste is a French company, headquartered in Hornaing (North of France, 59), specializing for over 60 years in the recovery and transformation of ashes from thermal power plants. As a recognized industrial player, the company has continuously evolved and innovated to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

In 2024, our team had already worked alongside Surschiste during a memorable moment: the arrival of the Olympic Flame in Marseille. On that occasion, one of their executives, Loïc Danest, was selected by Paris 2024 to be an official torchbearer. We then produced a reportage combining aerial drone shots and ground footage, filmed in Meyreuil, La Ciotat, and Marseille (watch the video here, or read this article)

In 2025, Surschiste entrusted us again, this time with the production of a corporate film designed to showcase in detail its activities and industrial sites. We filmed at their three main production units:

Hornaing (North of France),
Saint-Avold (East of France),
Meyreuil (South of France).

The shoot took place at the end of April 2025, over two full days, alternating between drone footage and ground-based filming to highlight facilities, teams, and industrial processes.

Two versions of the film were delivered, tailored to different communication needs:

A long version (7 minutes), designed for large-screen projection at internal events and professional trade shows.
A short version (3 minutes), optimized for digital distribution on Surschiste’s website and social media channels.

To ensure international reach, both videos feature a French voice-over with English subtitles.

🎬 Discover below the presentation film we produced and directed for Surschiste

Here are some screenshots from the film:

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The Golden Mother at Work: An Exclusive Aerial Look at the Restoration of Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille

July 25, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

July 2025. In Marseille, a rare and symbolic event is capturing imaginations throughout the city: the complete restoration of the basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, the spiritual and architectural icon known to locals as “La Bonne Mère.” The gilding of the statue of the Virgin and Child—never redone in over 35 years—is the centerpiece of this project.

Drone-Pictures had privileged access in July 2025 to provide an exclusive aerial documentation of the restoration, including footage of the statue surrounded by towering scaffolding and the basilica’s architectural details.

Vertical video filmed by drone during the restoration of the Bonne Mère

A last look before gilding (Mavic 4 Pro drone) – July 18, 2025

A Major Restoration Cycle: Every 30 to 50 Years

The restoration officially commenced on February 2, 2025—the symbolic feast of Candlemas—and is set to conclude on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This marks the fifth gilding since the basilica’s 19th-century construction.

Why restore now? Gold leaf naturally degrades over time, especially under the influence of pollution and marine air. The new gilding is both aesthetic and protective.

Thanks to modern techniques, this 2025 restoration is designed to last up to 50 years, surpassing the previous 30-year lifespan.

The Statue: A Monument on the Heights of Marseille

The monumental statue measures 11.20 meters in height and weighs nearly 9 tonnes. Perched at 157 meters above sea level, it dominates the cityscape.

In early July, before the installation of the white thermosealed tarpaulin, Drone-Pictures captured rare footage of the statue exposed and encircled by scaffolding—bare, poignant, and majestic. Using a Mavic 4 Pro in 6K, the imagery offers a stunning visual testament to the statue’s scale and craftsmanship.

A Complex and Delicate Restoration

This restoration mobilizes a team of expert artisans—dorers, masons, metal workers, stone conservators—as well as rope-access technicians operating at height.

Scaffolding reaches close to 100 meters high, enabling artisans to apply 30,000 gold leaf sheets by hand.
In addition to the statue, the program covers:
- restoration of the bell tower stonework,
- repair of the internal metal framework,
- consolidation of the stone angel statues,
- cleaning and repointing of the campanile.

The overall restoration is budgeted at approximately €2.8 million, with about €1.4 million allocated to the gilding alone.

A Living Site During Restoration

Despite the scale of the works, the basilica remains open to the public throughout 2025. Visitors can still attend services and enjoy panoramic views, except during temporary closures of the upper terrace for safety during scaffold assembly.

Drone-Pictures at the Heart of the Project

Thanks to regulatory clearance and technical expertise in urban drone operations, Drone-Pictures flew over and around the basilica in July 2025 to capture:

6K aerial footage with the Mavic 4 Pro, offering ultra-sharp resolution,
Shots from multiple angles to fully appreciate the scaffolding’s volume and structure,
High-resolution aerial photographs documenting the visible stages of restoration.

These visuals are intended for heritage publications, documentaries, and digital archives, serving as a rare record of this transitional moment in the monument’s life.

A Testimony to Heritage and Time

This restoration is more than a technical feat—it’s a pivotal moment in the life of “La Bonne Mère.” Drone-Pictures’ images preserve that moment suspended in time: the Virgin of Marseille poised between sky and sea, ready to be reborn in gold.

Conclusion

This restoration of the “Bonne Mère” is not only a technical challenge — it’s a powerful moment for the people of Marseille and all lovers of heritage. Thanks to the footage captured by Drone-Pictures, we’ve preserved a rare and precious memory: the moment when the Virgin of Notre-Dame de la Garde, suspended between sea and sky, prepares to shine once again in gold.

💡 Do you have an audiovisual project in mind?

Get in touch to find out how we can help!

Call us at +33 646 194 926

or via this form

Video of the repositioning of the crown of the Virgin Mary, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Marseille (October 17, 2025)

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Our photos of the fire at the gates of Marseille, Tuesday July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

Photo/video report from Marseille, Estaque, the day of the forest fire that affected the northern districts and l'Estaque!

Our video of the fire at L’Estaque – Marseille, July 8 & 10, 2025 | Aerial and ground images of the disaster

On Tuesday, July 8th, 2025, a major wildfire broke out in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, just north of Marseille. Fueled by strong winds and extremely dry conditions, the flames rapidly spread south toward the northern districts of the city, reaching the areas of La Nerthe and L’Estaque.

In response, the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture issued an urgent warning, asking residents in affected neighborhoods to stay indoors with windows and shutters closed, due to thick and potentially toxic smoke blanketing parts of the city.

As a safety measure, Marseille Provence Airport was closed until further notice, disrupting air traffic throughout the region. The SNCF also suspended train services on several lines serving Marseille, including TER and TGV trains passing through the danger zone.

More than 600 firefighters have been deployed, supported by a fleet of Canadair water bombers and helicopters, working tirelessly to contain the flames. The operation is particularly challenging due to unpredictable wind shifts and the rugged terrain of the surrounding hills.

During the event, Drone-Pictures was on the ground and in the air, conducting a ground photo report over the affected area between L’Estaque and La Nerthe. The images captured provide a dramatic view of the fire’s scale and its impact on both the natural environment and nearby urban areas.

This latest wildfire once again highlights the growing vulnerability of southern France to such disasters, exacerbated by climate change and prolonged drought.

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Observing Traffic Differently: When Drones Become a Tool for Urban Analysis

July 4, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

Traffic analysis with UAVs

In May 2025, Drone-Pictures was called upon for a unique and exciting mission in Antibes, in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France: observing and filming road traffic using a hovering drone. This original assignment, far from the spectacular shots typically associated with drones, perfectly illustrates the versatility and growing range of applications for these aerial tools.

The project was carried out as part of a traffic study conducted by the mobility and transport consulting firm ITEC Études.

A Hovering Mission

Over the course of three one-hour sessions, spread across two different days, our team deployed a Mavic 3 Pro drone to capture overhead footage of vehicle flows around a flyover and a key roundabout located in a high-traffic commercial zone in Antibes. The drone was flown at peak hours—both on weekdays and Saturday mornings and evenings—ensuring a comprehensive and varied view of traffic patterns throughout the day.

🎥 Here’s an accelerated video excerpt of the drone’s aerial view of the traffic on this auto-bridge and the traffic circle in the background, located in a commercial zone in Antibes.

Why Use a Drone for Traffic Analysis?

While ground-based cameras have long been the standard for traffic studies, they are now showing their limits in the face of increasingly complex mobility challenges. Drones, on the other hand, offer several significant advantages:

1. A Complete Aerial Perspective

From above, a drone provides a comprehensive overview of an intersection, roundabout, or highway interchange. Where multiple fixed cameras would be needed to cover every lane and entry/exit point, a single well-positioned drone can capture all movements across a wide area.

2. Precise and Actionable Data

High-definition aerial videos enable traffic analysts—like the team at ITEC Études—to accurately identify driver behavior, bottlenecks, wait times, potential conflicts, and risk areas. These visual datasets are then processed to guide infrastructure planning, safety improvements, and traffic optimization.

3. Quick and Discreet Deployment

Unlike fixed installations that require setup time, permits, and logistics, a drone can be deployed in just minutes, without disrupting traffic or attracting attention. It’s a non-intrusive tool, ideal for capturing natural driver behavior and real-life traffic flow.

A Great Example of Emerging Drone Applications

This observation mission for ITEC Études highlights the growing interest from both public institutions and private companies in aerial data capture. Far from being limited to cinematic or marketing imagery, drones have become true decision-making tools for:

Urban planning and mobility analysis
Road safety audits
Commercial or industrial logistics
Infrastructure and construction project management

In this specific case in Antibes, the study aimed to analyze vehicle traffic around a major hypermarket, with a view to improving access, safety, and flow management through future infrastructure adjustments. Other studies are currently underway in Marseille to establish logistics platforms in the city’s northern districts.

Drone-Pictures has also been asked by Vectio to film and photograph specific locations and routes in the Saint-André and GPMM (Grand Port Maritime de Marseille) areas, both by drone and by car. For the urban routes by car, we used a simple on-board camera, called DashCam, which inlays all GPS data onto the video, enabling precise traffic analysis.

ITEC Études: Proven Mobility Expertise

For over 25 years, ITEC Études has supported local governments, urban planners, and transport operators with their mobility planning and transportation studies. Thanks to their innovative approach—including the use of drone technology via partnerships with experienced operators like Drone-Pictures—they are able to provide detailed diagnostics and tailored recommendations for each project.

Visit them at: www.itec-etudes.fr

Looking Ahead

This services in Antibes and Marseille perfectly demonstrates the synergy between technology and expert analysis. As professional drone operators, we are proud to contribute to projects that have a real-world impact on public spaces and traffic infrastructure, using our aerial expertise to support analysis, optimization, and safety.

The future of drone technology goes far beyond visuals—it lies at the heart of mobility, urban planning, and sustainable development.

💡 Do you have a traffic study, urban development, or site monitoring project in mind? Get in touch to find out how drone imagery can elevate your mission:

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Drone filming at the Villa Eileen Grey E-1027 in Roquebrune Cap-Martin

February 27, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

We Had the Privilege of Filming the Iconic Villa E-1027 by Drone

We had the privilege of capturing aerial drone footage of the legendary Villa E-1027, designed by the visionary designer and architect Eileen Grey, for a British TV program dedicated to architecture, set to air next summer.

Perched facing the Mediterranean Sea, this modernist masterpiece from the 1920s is a landmark of the rationalist movement, also renowned for its complex relationship with Le Corbusier. The Mavic 3 Pro drone was deployed to film the breathtaking surroundings of this exceptional site, located on Cap Martin, facing Monaco and overlooking the Mediterranean in the Alpes-Maritimes.

We took this opportunity to extend these magical moments and explore more about this iconic piece of architecture and its history, detailed below.

Villa E-1027: A Modernist Icon and a Complex Relationship with Le Corbusier

Perched on the cliffs of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, overlooking the Mediterranean, Villa E-1027 is a masterpiece of modernist architecture. Designed between 1926 and 1929 by Eileen Grey, a visionary designer and architect, in collaboration with her then-partner, architect Jean Badovici, this house embodies a radically new approach to living spaces. Its name, E-1027, is a coded reference to their initials: E for Eileen, 10 for J (Jean, the 10th letter of the alphabet), 2 for B (Badovici), and 7 for G (Grey).

A Pioneering Design

Eileen Grey designed E-1027 by applying the principles of functionalism, promoting flexible, adaptable spaces suited to daily life. The villa stands out for its minimalist elegance: large openings maximize natural light and enhance the interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces. The integrated furniture, specifically designed for the house, prioritizes both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Among Grey’s innovations were adjustable elements, concealed storage spaces, and optimized layouts tailored to the needs of the occupants. She advocated for a more intimate relationship between architecture and daily life, contrasting with the more rigid and dogmatic approach of some of her contemporaries.

A Tumultuous Relationship with Le Corbusier

After the completion of the villa, Jean Badovici invited Le Corbusier, a major figure of the modernist movement, to stay at E-1027. Fascinated yet also envious of Grey’s work, Le Corbusier undertook a series of controversial interventions. Without Grey’s permission, he painted several murals inside the villa between 1938 and 1939, imposing his artistic signature on a space he had not designed.

Eileen Grey, outraged by this intrusion, saw these murals as a violation of her work, while Le Corbusier considered them a creative contribution. This tension reflects the complex relationships between artists of the time and, more broadly, the challenges faced by women architects in asserting their authority in a male-dominated field.

Restoration and Recognition

Long abandoned and left to the effects of time, Villa E-1027 underwent a major restoration program starting in the 2000s. Today, it is recognized as a modernist jewel and a belated acknowledgment of Eileen Grey’s genius. Now classified as a historic monument, it is open to the public and continues to inspire architecture enthusiasts worldwide.

E-1027 remains a unique testament to a radical vision of design and living spaces, while also bearing the marks of an emblematic artistic rivalry between two of the 20th century’s most influential figures.

At Drone-Pictures, we love filming architectural masterpieces!

For your aerial imagery needs for buildings and structures, feel free to contact us.

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Example of a roof inspection by drone in Marseille

February 10, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

Roof Inspection by Drone for La Paternelle Residence in Marseille: A Case of Precision and Efficiency

As part of a roof inspection mission, Léon Grosse enlisted the services of Drone-Pictures to assess the rooftops of the La Paternelle residential complex in Marseille. This estate, composed of 18 buildings, required a thorough analysis to identify necessary repairs. Here’s a closer look at how drones proved to be an ideal solution for technical inspections.

A Quick and Cost-Effective Solution

Léon Grosse needed high-resolution aerial photos of each rooftop. The goal was to detect damaged tiles and assess the condition of the waterproofing systems to prepare a detailed and reliable estimate for the property manager. This approach not only saved valuable time but also eliminated the need for costly and complex human interventions, such as scaffolding installation or crane rentals.

Using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone, equipped with a high-performance camera capable of capturing images in 20 to 48-megapixel resolution, every detail was captured with stunning clarity. In record time, all the rooftops were inspected with unmatched precision.

Advanced Tools for Superior Inspection

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro proved to be an invaluable tool for this mission. Thanks to its three available focal lengths (24 mm, 70 mm, and 160 mm), it was possible to capture images from various distances and angles, ensuring both an overview and close-up views of critical details.

This flexibility allowed Drone-Pictures to fully meet the client’s needs. Close-up shots revealed the precise condition of the tiles and sensitive roof areas, while wider angles provided a comprehensive view of each building.

Precision and Safety Gains

Using a drone for roof inspections offers undeniable advantages for the real-estate and construction sector. In addition to the precision of the images obtained, this method eliminates the risks associated with working at heights. No technicians had to climb onto the roofs, significantly reducing safety hazards.

Furthermore, the entire operation was completed in just a few hours, compared to several days for a traditional inspection. This speed translated into substantial savings for Léon Grosse, who was able to provide an accurate estimate to the property manager in record time.

A Satisfied Client

Léon Grosse’s satisfaction highlights the added value of this service. “Precision, speed, and cost-efficiency” perfectly summarize the benefits they gained from collaborating with Drone-Pictures.

This mission exemplifies how drones are revolutionizing technical inspections. With their ability to capture detailed data and their flexibility, drones are becoming essential tools for companies in construction, property management, and public works.

At Drone-Pictures, we take pride in making inspections more efficient, safer, and cost-effective.

For your aerial photography or technical inspection needs, feel free to contact us.

Do you have an audiovisual project of your own?

Example of a roof photographed with a 70 mm drone at the La Paternelle residence in the 14th arrondissement of Marseille, for the Léon Grosse company.

Example of a roof photographed by drone at 160mm zoom

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2024 : Overview of our services and drone filming

January 7, 2025

by drone-pictures Actualité

2025 is our 14th year in business producing aerial images by drone, always from Marseille,

always with the same enormous enthusiasm, the same creativity, and great talent from our region!

Let’s take a look at the main sites and clients we worked for in 2024, and let’s start by viewing the annual retrospective with this showreel!

Main drone and ground-based services and productions in 2024

January 2024: We start the year with a Drone & Sol shoot at Marseille-Provence airport for Alstef Group, who have asked us to produce the entire video describing the work carried out on this site.

January 2024: Release of the third opus in our Sublime Marseille series

Visit the page dedicated to this Opus 3 to see the gallery of sites overflown and put a name to each shot!

February 2024: for MTI Groupe / AlvaElec, a solar panel installer in Provence, we filmed an installation operation in Simiane, in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. The video produced is a short clip.

February 2024: an initial shoot for SNCF Réseau Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur to produce a new film on the seeding of the tracks of the Cannes Marchandises cluster in the Alpes-Maritimes. A second shoot was necessary in April, with interviews, drone footage and our ground cameras.

February 2024: for Travaux du Midi company we are continuing our filming and editing work on the BA115 air base in Orange-Caritat. A sixth video was edited following our visit, but the confidentiality of the site means that we are not authorised to publish them. However, the SGA of the French Army has published our 1st film (without drone) on Youtube.

March 2024: a 5th video made this year.

This time there was no filming on the ground, just a drone, for the Conseil Général des Bouches du Rhône and SBS-Construction, during the extension and restructuring work at the Collège Gilbert Rastoin in Cassis.

The drone was mainly used to twirl around the new metal framework before it was covered!

March 2024: another drone service, including filming and editing of the video for ECOLEX, during an impressive worksite at the Grand-Port Maritime de Marseille, to remove asbestos from the Silo à Sucre.

-> Find out more about this production

March 2024: drone shots of beauty shots of Marseille for KRESALA FILMS, an audiovisual production company based in Madrid, who produced an advertising spot for the Chilean football team’s visit to Marseille.

We used a drone to film the city’s most famous landmarks, including La Major Cathedral, Notre Dame de la Garde, the Old Port and the Vallon des Auffes, to name but a few.

April/May 2024: Corporate report produced for the company Surschiste on Loïc Danest, its technical director, chosen by Paris 2024 to be one of the bearers of the Olympic Flame when it arrives in Marseille in May 2024.

The video was shot three times by drone and on the ground in Meyreuil, La Ciotat and Marseille, in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. Watch the final video.

May 2024: Filming of the pre-show Ballet Jogging, at the Stade Delort, an original creation by choreographer Pierre Rigal of the Dernière Minute company,

In this highly graphic and necessarily very visual ballet, it was essential to film it using a drone.

As drone flights were prohibited during the show, and during the 2 days when the Olympic flame passed through Marseille, we provided this service on the evening of 7 May. Our aerial images will be used in the documentary that Pascal Catheland from Studio Mujo is making about the preparation of this show.

May 2024 : Site monitoring by drone for BATIMAGE in Beaucaire, France

May 2024: last shooting for Travaux du Midi at BA115 in Orange-Caritat, for the drone and ground filming required to edit the 7th video in this site monitoring series, which we have been filming since December 2022 with a Mavic 3 Pro, an Avata FPV drone and our Sony FX3 and A7 IV ground cameras.

May 2024: On-site monitoring with the production of a video for the Bouches-du-Rhône department, during work on the future Aix – La Torse Fire and Rescue Centre, for the firefighters of the 13 department.

May 2024: Another shoot at the Port of Marseille (GPMM) from 4am to 7am for the production company Sourdoreille, who are making Aliocha Schneider’s video clip. Here we were able to fly our good old Inspire 2 with its X7 camera, in Raw codec in 6K.

June 2024: for PAP’s Agency, we provided drone footage for a corporate event organised by SAGE, following the Hélios boat from the Vieux-Port to the Frioul islands, then on to the Cercle des Nageurs at the Catalans in Marseille.

June 2024: drone filming with Dominique Tapie at the Old Port of Marseille for a TV documentary produced by NLIGHTmonaco

June 2024: drone & ground filming for PROSH Production aboard the yacht Antisan in the Bay of Cannes.

July 2024: first drone service for the Société publique des écoles Marseillaises (SPEM), which asked us to take aerial photos and videos of several schools undergoing major renovation.

Photo opposite: Aygalades-Oasis school in Marseille’s 15th arrondissement.

July 2024: night-time drone filming for the Prismedia production company during an open-air Mozart concert in Taillages, Vaucluse, broadcast on France 2’s Culture Box programme.

July 2024: filming at sea continues with drone shots of two yachts leaving La Ciotat for Greece. This is the Tree House yacht for YachtShots.

July 2024: For the third time since 2020, we were with our two dual-operator drones – the Inspire 2s – providing aerial coverage for Ferrari for 2 intense, hot and very noisy days!

August 2024: we’re back at sea, this time in the Toulon harbour for Virtique, an Italian company specialising in 360° virtual tours. We covered the drone video footage and photos of the yacht’s interiors.

August 2024: Drone and ground filming for a corporate film in the Vaucluse, near Mont Ventoux, Château Neuf-du-Pape and the Bédarrides vineyards.

August 2024: Video shooting by drone, day and night, for the programme Flic story on RMC in Aigues-Mortes (Hérault) in the Camargue, produced by TV Presse.

Discover our audiovisual productions by year

Showreels – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021/2017

September 2024: second drone and ground service for the Société publique des écoles Marseillaises (SPEM) in schools in Marseille’s 3rd and 14th arrondissements – Jolie Manon and Emile Vayssière. Marseille – Jolie Manon et Emile Vayssière.

September 2024: Video filming by drone at sea, during the Thalès Regatta in Marseilles harbour, around the Frioul Islands.

October 2024: 1st day of ground & drone filming for a 4-minute report for SEMM (Société des Eaux de Marseille Métropole) and SBS-Construction during atypical works in the Taillades underground tunnel, between Vernègues and Lambesc (Bouches-du-Rhône).

-> More information and photos on this production

October 2024: Second day of filming and delivery of the final cut documenting the operations to reinforce the structure following the landslides in spring 2024 in the Taillades tunnel (Canal de Marseille).
Opposite photo is a night view of the entrance to the Vernègues tunnel.

-> More information and photos on this production

November 2024: 3rd video shoot by drone and on the ground for the Société publique des écoles Marseillaises (SPEM) at the Simone de Beauvoir school in Marseille’s third arrondissement.

-> More information and photos on these services

November 2024: Mavic 3 Pro drone service for additional footage of the film for the town of Saint-Victoret, produced by the audiovisual production company CDigital.

The special feature of this shoot was that the drone flights took place on the edge of the Marseille-Provence airport, requiring a strict protocol and low-altitude flights of between 10 and 49 metres.

November 2024: Tenth video report (filming and editing) produced for CARDEM at Gignac-La-Nerthe in the Bouches-du-Rhône region during the deconstruction of the Provence Enrobés tower.

-> More information and photos on this drone shoot

December 2024: We end the year with a new clip for the open-air art gallery that is Château Charleval.
The one-minute video shows the colossal works of art on display in the château’s gardens.

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Exceptional fireworks and drone show in Marseille for Christmas 2024!

December 23, 2024

by drone-pictures Actualité

A magical Christmas for Marseille in December 2024!

Marseille City Council has pulled out all the stops for the festive season, and really wanted to spoil the people of Marseille with some exceptional events, including this magnificent firework display fired at 8pm on 21 December from the Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde and Fort d’Entrecasteaux, as you can see in our photos!

There were also lasers, and on the Digue du Large side, more than 500 drones flew over the sea and drew figures such as stars, a gift box, the letters Joyeux Noël and Father Christmas.

It was magical, and the final fireworks display was grandiose!

Thank you, Marseille, and as we say here :