Author Jérémy Lastavel Reveals How Photos are Powerful Historical Echos

When Jérémy Lastavel invited us to explore his latest coffee table book, L’Écho des Siècles St-Paul de Vence, we were curious, not knowing what wonders awaited within. The book surprised us with its vivid portrayal of Provencal history, woven together through bilingual storytelling and mesmerizing digital imagery. Each photograph transported us, page by page, as if we were wandering through a living museum. We had the privilege of speaking with author Jérémy Lastavel about his immersive process and creative spark. Dive into our conversation below.

Author’s Bio

I am a native of the French Riviera, with family roots deeply anchored in this region for centuries. Professionally, my background bridges the gap between art and digital tools: I have worked as a graphic designer and webmaster, and I currently work as an IT technician. However, my true passion has always been the soul of Provence and the secrets held within its ancient stones.

As the author of the L’Écho des Siècles collection, my approach goes beyond traditional archiving; it is a deeply artistic and immersive endeavour. I use cutting-edge technology—specifically digital restoration and generative AI—to fill the visual gaps of history. Where faded postcards lose their detail, I strive to restore the light, colours, and vibrant life of yesteryear. My goal is not merely to recount the past, but to make it visible, crafting these volumes as true art objects that invite readers on an unprecedented journey through time.

Photo credit ©Jérémy Lastavel

Imagery and Concept

What first inspired you to write the L’Écho des Siècles series, and how did the original idea evolve?

As a child, I always imagined myself wandering through the alleys of my daily life as they stood centuries ago. I wanted to “photograph memory”. The idea evolved from simply compiling old postcards into a desire to fully resurrect these scenes. I realized that traditional archives left too many visual gaps, and I wanted to offer readers a fully immersive, photorealistic stroll through the past.

What does “the echo of centuries” mean to you personally?

It is the silent dialogue between the stones built by our ancestors and our modern footsteps. It is the idea that history is not dead; it reverberates through the architecture, the sunlight hitting a facade, and the timeless atmosphere of these villages.

How did you draw on specific historical periods, events, or archival sources?

I rely heavily on local archives, cadastres, and late 19th to early 20th-century photographs. My focus is entirely on the daily life, the craftsmanship, and the architectural evolution of these villages.

Photo credit ©Jérémy Lastavel

Artistic Influences

Were there particular authors, historians, or works of literature that influenced your approach?

On a literary level, the classic Provencal authors who captured the profound connection between people and land are constant sources of inspiration. But mostly, my inspiration comes from the people themselves. I am a native of Vence, and I have spent a great deal of time talking with the true locals. These elders are veritable open books about the region. Unfortunately, they are aging and won’t be here forever, so capturing their memories is vital.

Photo credit ©Jérémy Lastavel

Putting it together

How did you approach balancing historical authenticity with narrative imagination?

The rule is strict: the geometry and the architectural structure must be historically faithful. We do not invent the buildings. The imagination comes into play through the lighting, the atmosphere, and the anonymous figures that populate the scenes. The narrative in the text provides the factual historical context, while the accompanying “haiku-style” captions and the images provide the emotional resonance.

Photo credit ©Jérémy Lastavel

What made you decide to use AI-generated images rather than traditional illustrations or photography?

Traditional photography can only show the present or the decayed state of the past. Traditional illustration, while beautiful, often lacks the visceral impact of photorealism. AI is the only tool that allows me to bridge this gap, creating a pristine, sharp, and hyper-realistic “photograph” of a moment that no longer exists.

How closely do the AI images follow specific scenes from the book?

They are strictly tethered to the real, physical locations discussed in the text, relying heavily on existing architectural geometry and records of destruction. However, where the archives are silent, I allow for an “artist’s view”. It is a poetic interpretation that fills in memory gaps without ever betraying the soul of the place. For example, for the Valbonne abbey, I chose to represent it with its original Romanesque oculus, as it must have been before the 20th-century additions.

Photo credit ©Jérémy Lastavel

Creative Process

Can you walk us through your creative workflow?

It is a meticulous process. Every page is born from a real photograph—either an old archive damaged by time, or a modern shot that I must “clean” of modern marks. I then instruct my AI partner to rebuild the geometry, demanding strict parameters. If a generated image needs a major change, I never just “retouch” it, as that creates a waxy look. Instead, we regenerate the entire scene from scratch using the original base until the lighting, the vivid colours, and the 2K+ resolution align perfectly with my vision.

Did you encounter challenges in getting the AI to capture the historical atmosphere?

Absolutely. AI has a natural tendency to want to smooth everything out, to make the world perfect, shiny, almost “plastic”. But the history of our villages is rough; old stone has texture, plaster crumbles, and dust exists. My retouching work often consists of “damaging” what the machine made too clean, spending hours injecting texture to make the place feel alive. Another ironic battle: AI naturally adds modern gutters to facades purely by logic. Except before 1900, in our region, they simply didn’t exist! I must fight AI’s ease of inventing to force it to restore.

How much iteration was involved in creating each image?

Countless iterations. If left unguided, the machine will happily generate a beautiful but completely “random” Provencal village. But that doesn’t interest me at all! I want to see a precise scene, of a precise village, in a precise era. Achieving the 300 dpi high-definition quality required for a premium print book also demands significant effort. Before even giving the AI a base image, I spend a lot of time cleaning elements in pre-production, followed by intense post-production. Absolutely nothing is “automatic” or unmanaged.

Working with AI Images

Do you see the AI image process more as a collaboration or as a tool you control entirely?

I see it as about 40% collaboration and 60% a tool. I want to master and control the factual outcome as much as possible, which is not easy. AI is to the contemporary image what a brush is to a canvas: it reveals the idea, but without the painter’s hand, it remains inanimate. I impose a strict syntax of historical constraints to keep it from drifting.

Did the visuals ever influence the writing itself?

Yes, frequently. Sometimes, the AI will generate a specific ray of light hitting a cobblestone or a particularly evocative expression on an anonymous villager’s face. These visual surprises directly inspire the poetic, “haiku” captions on the right-hand pages of the book, shifting the text from pure history to pure emotion.

Reading the Books

What do you hope readers feel when they see the AI-generated images alongside the narrative?

I hope they feel a seamless immersion. The text grounds them in reality, while the images allow their imagination to take flight, free from the constraints of faded, blurry archives.

What do you hope readers carry with them once they finish the last page?

A profound sense of wonder and a renewed respect for the humble builders of these villages. I want them to feel as though they have just returned from a peaceful, sun-drenched walk-through time.

What’s Up Next?

Which Alpes-Maritimes village do you think you will work on next?

I have wonderful news on that front: my fourth book, dedicated to the beautiful village of Valbonne, has just been published! It follows the exact same premium, bilingual format and is already available on Amazon.

Buy all 4 L’Écho des Siècles Books

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).