You can’t beat a good book, especially when its setting transports you to a place as enchanting as the South of France. While many ‘holiday reads’ offer a glimpse into this sun-drenched region, there are a few novels that stand out for me, sticking in the memory or drawing me back for another read.

Here are five standout books set in the South of France that have captured my imagination. None of them are too weighty, making them ideal companions for a long weekend in Nice!

5 Key Books set in the South of France

La Côte d’Azur

by Stéphen Liégeard (Published in 1887)

Coined by Liégeard, the term ‘Côte d’Azur’ perfectly encapsulates the azure allure of the French Riviera. As a poet who found winter solace along the Mediterranean, Liégeard’s work is a testament to the region’s beauty. Though original copies may be scarce, the spirit of the Côte d’Azur lives on, inviting readers to explore its charm, perhaps through a modern guidebook.

To Catch a Thief

by David Dodge (Published in 1952)

Set against the Riviera’s opulent backdrop, this thriller introduces John Robie, “The Cat,” a reformed jewel thief entangled in a web of suspicion and high society. Dodge masterfully uses the Côte d’Azur’s scenic beauty as a counterpoint to the suspenseful narrative, making the region itself a character in this tale of luxury, deception, and intrigue. The book came before the classic movie set in the South of France.

Tender is the Night

by F. Scott Fitzgerald (First published in 1934)

Fitzgerald’s novel paints a vivid picture of the 1920s French Riviera, a playground for the wealthy and disillusioned. Through the Divers’ complicated lives, the book explores themes of love, wealth, and idealism, set amidst the Riviera’s legendary locales. Fitzgerald’s own experiences lend authenticity to the narrative, capturing the era’s opulence and cultural decadence.

I have to admit, whilst this is defined as a classic book, set in the South of France I found it to be incredibly dull.

Super-Cannes

by J.G. Ballard (Published in 2000)

Ballard’s critique of modern corporate life unfolds in Eden-Olympia, a high-tech business park near Cannes that masks a dystopian reality. The novel questions the human cost of technological progress, juxtaposing the Riviera’s beauty against the dark underbelly of its seemingly utopian community.

Bonjour Tristesse

by Françoise Sagan (Published in 1954)

Sagan’s debut novel, set in a Riviera villa, explores the tumultuous emotions of young Cécile, whose idyllic summer is disrupted by her father’s new lover. The narrative beautifully captures the transient joys and sorrows of adolescence against the backdrop of the Côte d’Azur’s fleeting pleasures.

On our most recent holiday in Beaulieu Sur Mer we tried watching the movie version of the book, with David Niven. Whilst it was shot, in part, in Saint Tropez it was just not engaging. Sadly it didn’t make my list of best South of France movies.

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Each of these novels offers a unique perspective on the South of France, from its glittering coastlines to the complex lives that unfold beneath the Mediterranean sun. They remind us that this region is not just a backdrop for stories but a vibrant character in its own right, full of beauty, drama, and intrigue.

I hope this collection inspires you to explore these tales and, through them, the captivating allure of the South of France. May you find sunshine leaping from the pages and into your heart, just as I have.

Happy reading, and may your literary journey be as enriching as a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais!