Once Upon a Time World: The Dark and Sparkling Story of the French Riviera
The One-Upon-A-Time-World is the French Riviera, that tiny strip of land which has had such a disproportionate impact on the cultural history of the world. This is the second of Miles’ books on iconic places created by strangers (the first is about St Petersburg).
After a nod towards the earlier history of the Riviera, the story begins in earnest in 1835, when Lord Brougham accidentally ‘discovered’ Cannes and popularised the coastal strip as an outdoor hospital for the very rich. It quickly became a playground for rich thrill-seekers.
The index is a roll call of the world’s great and famous over the last two centuries; royalty (Queen Victoria visited the Riviera seven times, India never), aristocrats, plutocrats, statesmen, writers and artists of all kinds. The light of the Riviera must have inspired more paintings than the sunshine of any other place on earth.
Miles is pessimistic about the future of the Riviera, fearing it is over-developed – too much concrete, too little wilderness. Yet the Riviera has constantly re-invented itself to a changing clientele. There is life in it yet.
A fascinating and informative book.
