The seaplane side of Marseille - Marignane airport. A few weeks after this picture was taken, this Vichy French airliner was attacked by RAF Hurricanes off Algiers, presumably by mistake, and four occupants were killed. Perhaps as a result, F-AREJ was in Algeria when it was taken by the Allies and it survived the war to be used by Air France until September 1946. Photo from: ECPAD

The H-246 was a modern flying boat intended for the Mediterranean routes of Air France, and first flown on 30 September 1937. Seven examples built including one for the French navy. A few were confiscated by the Luftwaffe in November 1942 and used in Finland. F-AREJ and F-AREL turned Free French in Algeria, and surived the war to be used by Air France until September 1946. Photo from: ECPAD

Wearing the company flag on the nose. Based on the backgrond and details of the ramp, we think this is the Marignane seaplane station on the Étang de Berre. Note that there was also a military seaplane base right on the other side of the lagoon at Berre-l'Étang. Photo from: Aéromaritime