France, May 12 -- Marseille is not historically known as a hotspot for the visual arts. The southern French metropolis's dynamic culture is more centred around food, music, football and its beautiful port and seaside.

But during PAC, more than 160 artists from the emerging French and international scene take centre stage, with free events across the city's cultural venues and public spaces.

Decolonial art Belsunce, a neighbourhood in the heart of Marseille, is a focal point for the contemporary art festival this year.

La Compagnie is one of Belsunce's iconic galleries participating in PAC.

Gallery director Paul Emmanuel Odin said that he has watched children grow up in the immigrant neighbourhood over the decades.

"They are now 3...