Sandi Toksvig's Great Riviera Rail Trip is more of a bibliophile's fantasy than a traditional travelogue, as she weaves in her love of literature and history into an otherwise lighthearted exploration of the French south coast. The comedian and writer's infectious enthusiasm for the region shines through on camera, as she visits picturesque fishing villages, posh resorts, and quirky nooks.
Toksvig's first stop is Sanary-sur-Mer, where she marvels at the harbour view from her hotel window and encounters a local boat builder who regales her with tales of his wooden boats. The conversation may fizzle slightly due to language barriers, but the azure waters prove too picturesque to care.
As Toksvig travels further east, her narrative takes on a more literary tone, as she reflects on the writers who found refuge in the region during the 1930s. She basks in the glamour of Saint-Tropez, where Allen Ginsberg and Brigitte Bardot once strolled along its beaches, but struggles to find meaningful conversations with locals.
The turning point comes when Toksvig meets a couple from Bradford who confess their love for her quiz show QI – and in return, she shares a fascinating anecdote about the origins of Saint-Tropez. The encounter injects much-needed energy into the programme, which otherwise threatens to succumb to formulaic travelogue tropes.
Ultimately, Toksvig's Great Riviera Rail Trip is more of an ode to her own love of literature and history than a traditional travel series. While it may not be for everyone, fans of the writer and comedian will undoubtedly relish this bibliophile's fantasy, which blends stunning scenery with witty banter and fascinating historical anecdotes.
The only criticism one might level at Toksvig is that her narration occasionally veers into repetition and cliche – a trait more commonly associated with travelogues than the writer herself. Nevertheless, her infectious enthusiasm and love of literature make for an engaging watch, even if it's not entirely immune to predictability. As she so aptly puts it, "France has got shops" – but in this case, they're full of books and a deep appreciation for the written word.
Toksvig's first stop is Sanary-sur-Mer, where she marvels at the harbour view from her hotel window and encounters a local boat builder who regales her with tales of his wooden boats. The conversation may fizzle slightly due to language barriers, but the azure waters prove too picturesque to care.
As Toksvig travels further east, her narrative takes on a more literary tone, as she reflects on the writers who found refuge in the region during the 1930s. She basks in the glamour of Saint-Tropez, where Allen Ginsberg and Brigitte Bardot once strolled along its beaches, but struggles to find meaningful conversations with locals.
The turning point comes when Toksvig meets a couple from Bradford who confess their love for her quiz show QI – and in return, she shares a fascinating anecdote about the origins of Saint-Tropez. The encounter injects much-needed energy into the programme, which otherwise threatens to succumb to formulaic travelogue tropes.
Ultimately, Toksvig's Great Riviera Rail Trip is more of an ode to her own love of literature and history than a traditional travel series. While it may not be for everyone, fans of the writer and comedian will undoubtedly relish this bibliophile's fantasy, which blends stunning scenery with witty banter and fascinating historical anecdotes.
The only criticism one might level at Toksvig is that her narration occasionally veers into repetition and cliche – a trait more commonly associated with travelogues than the writer herself. Nevertheless, her infectious enthusiasm and love of literature make for an engaging watch, even if it's not entirely immune to predictability. As she so aptly puts it, "France has got shops" – but in this case, they're full of books and a deep appreciation for the written word.
! It's like getting to experience her personality and love for literature through this train journey along the French coast 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch someone as charming and witty as her sharing stories about the history of Saint-Tropez or the writers who used it as a refuge? 
The part where she meets those QI fans from Bradford is just the best 
. It's not perfect, maybe gets a bit formulaic at times, but I think that's just part of its charm 
. Overall, it's a delightful watch for anyone who loves books, history, or just watching someone have fun on camera 
.
, even if this series isn't as straight-forward as I'd like. She gets lost in her own world, and we get to join her on this literary adventure 
. It's still not perfect, but who cares when you've got Toksvig being her fabulous self? 
! She's like, so passionate about history and literature 
, it's infectious! 
I love how she weaves in these fascinating facts and anecdotes 
, it makes the whole trip feel like a treasure hunt for book lovers 
. The way she talks to locals might not always be smooth sailing 
️, but her energy is so positive and uplifting 
! And those moments with fans of QI? 
Total wins in my book 
. My only teensy criticism would be some of the narration could feel a bit formulaic 
, but overall, this show is like a dream come true for bibliophiles 
, I loved watching Sandi Toksvig on her Great Riviera Rail Trip! It's like you can feel her excitement radiating from the screen 
. Anyway, if you're a fan of Toksvig or just love books and history, this show is def worth checking out! 
, I mean who wouldn't want to explore the French south coast with a bookworm like her? 
But yeah, sometimes it feels a bit formulaic, and her narration can get a bit repetitive... still, it's so engaging and fun to watch! 
. the only thing that keeps me from giving it 10/10 is maybe some of her narration feels a tad repetitive 
. But at the same time, its kinda... charming? like when shes talkin bout the writers who lived in saint tropez back in the day and all that jazz 
. And on the other hand, I also think it's okay if a travel show doesn't check all the boxes - sometimes it's the imperfections that make it more relatable and authentic 
. And yeah, maybe some parts felt a bit formulaic, but I mean, what's wrong with a good ol' fashioned travelogue? The part that really got me though was when she talked about how Bradford folk loved her quiz show... that was so sweet! 
, and it's clear why they'd want to capture that magic. But did you know that Sanary-sur-Mer has a thriving arts scene? 
The town hosts over 50 festivals annually 
, including the Fête de la Mer, which attracts over 20,000 people each year 
. And it's not just literature fans who love Toksvig - her quiz show QI has a massive following! 
Did you know that in 2022 alone, the show reached over 15 million viewers? 
. And what about the fact that she shares a fascinating anecdote about Saint-Tropez right after they mention the show? Coincidence or somethin' more?