Love And Danger In The French Riviera

Delve into the exciting literary world of the French Riviera, where luxury, romance, andcrime mingle with the summer air.

- Jenica Chuahiock

There’s something about the French Riviera that just ensnares the imagination of many writers, who have since contributed to the mythos of southeastern France. Even its local name Côte d’Azur (“Coast of Azure”) was supposedly derived from the travel book of French writer Stéphen Liégeard, who described the area as a “coast of light, of warm breezes, and mysterious balmy forests,” of which “the route is short but delicious.”

While there are plenty of scenic delights of the French Riviera immortalized in books, there is also a more dramatic—even sinister— side that comes with this hotspot of the rich and libertine. Indeed, it’s not all sunshine in these French summer holidays, especially as narrated by writers of the Lost Generation and Jazz Age. Authors like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and W. Somerset Maugham share a different (and perhaps more titillating) current to the azure coast, one filled with glamorous parties, whirlwind romances, and moral deterioration.

These famous works prove that the allure of the French Riviera isn’t just about the beauty of its resorts, but also about the people who seek its haven: Wanton lovers, the sordid rich, disillusioned travelers, and even some clever crooks. So if you feel like taking a holiday in the fabled Mediterranean coast of France, why not peruse some of our reading recommendations that will not only give you a tour of scenic locale, but also serve a glimpse into the decadent human psyche: