Côte d'Azur: Exploring the James Bond connections in the South of France. Cet article n’est pas disponible.Côte d'Azur: Exploring the James Bond connections in the South of France

Côte d'Azur: Exploring the James Bond connections in the South of France

The allure of the French Riviera, or the Côte d'Azur as it is variously known, needs little or no introduction. The landscape, the wealth, the film stars, the artists, the Belle Epoque architecture and the azure sea have all ensured the longevity of its rightful place in stunning coast lines and picturesque villages to soak up. That in various forms, James Bond has left his mark in such pantheons of beauteous geography is no surprise. But just what are they, and in how many forms?

From his time living in Villefranche sur Mer in the summer of 2019, author Simon Firth documents, dissects and discusses the locations for:

The Films, Diamonds Are Forever, Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye

The Books, ROLE OF HONOUR and FOREVER AND A DAY

The Residences of Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore and David Niven

The Cannes Film Festival and the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel

And an unfinished 1958 version of CASINO ROYALE and the 'What If..' locations.

To widen the context and to add colour, the Riviera Life and its people accompany the journey with eye-catching imagery, in the definitive account of James Bond in the Côte d'Azur.

With a Foreword written by Gareth Owen, Sir Roger Moore's former Personal Assistant.

SIMON FIRTH became interested in, and subsequently hooked on the world of James Bond from a) being asked by his father to come back downstairs from bed to watch on TV Dr No and, months later, Thunderball and b) being taken to the cinema to see The Spy Who Loved Me as a family outing. Being of responsible age sufficient to taking buses by the time Moonraker was released sealed his fate and a collection was subsequently embarked upon. While in awe of the present day's dissection of the subject matter of James Bond into its infinite parts; Clothes, Cars, Food, Drink, Books, Films, Graphic Novels and the multitudinous contributors and content makers plying their knowledgeable and artistic creativity to discuss such, it is the poster artwork that by and large was the greater attraction within. But a love for Villefranche sur Mer and the surrounding countryside from working holidays abroad in the 1980s and a couple of subsequent holidays ensured that Simon would briefly enter the Locations department; with all due deference to those who have steadily worked their way up this explicit ladder. For all things professional, he is a self-employed contract Project Manager working in the Telecommunications and Media sector.

MARTIJN MULDER ('71) is a freelance writer, journalist and designer. In the 1995 he managed to combine his passion for travel with his passion for James Bond by starting The James Bond Locations Page. This website was later turned into ON THE TRACKS OF 007, and a travel guide to the Bond locations was published in 2008. Onthetracksof007.com is the largest fan community for everyone who loves the James Bond lifestyle and exotic destinations.

GARETH OWEN: Having graduated from Bangor University with a degree in Applied Physics and Electronics he, in his own words, put it to good use by ... running away to join the film industry! Setting up office at Pinewood Studios he ran his own production company and in 1999 branched out into writing film-industry related articles for trade magazines. This lead him to writing his first book, 'The Pinewood Story', the history of the famous studios through the eyes of the people who created it. Further books followed - Albert J Luxford: The Gimmick Man; Alan Hume - A Life Through The Lens; Roger Moore - His Films And Career ... and that latter book lead to the opportunity of working with The Great Man himself, for 16 years, as his PA, right hand man, on-stage interviewer and co-author. Having persuaded him to put pen to paper on his first volume of autobiography, Gareth served as his ghostwriter on 'My Word Is My Bond' plus a further three volumes: 'Bond On Bond', 'Last Man Standing' and 'A Bientot'. He continued to write other books ranging from 'The Shepperton Story' to ghostwriting 'From Pinewood to Hollywood' for film producer Paul Hitchcock; 'Memoirs Of A Film Publicist' for Jerry Pam; 'Stars And Wars' for art director Alan Tomkins; and his 19th, and most recent book launched in 2020 entitled, 'Raising An Eyebrow - My Life with Sir Roger Moore'.