The rise and rise of the French Riviera - Jim Ring

This talk marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Jim Ring’s biography of the coast.

He traces the story of the Riviera back to the British aristocrats who discovered it in the late 18th century and finds a group seeking health, warmth, a breathtaking land and seascape, and the easy morals with which the coast became associated. "A sunny place," said Somerset Maugham, "for shady people."

Despite the rampant development that has characterised the coast since World War II, Jim will identify the qualities of topography, climate and culture that have enabled the Cote d'Azur to stay ahead of the pack over all these years.  

About the speaker

Jim is an author and film-maker, whose books and documentary films have won various awards. His 1996 debut Erskine Childers won the Marsh Prize for biography.

It was followed by How the English made the Alps (2000) and his collective biography of Britain's leading Cold War submariners We come unseen (2001), which won the Mountbatten Prize.

His latest book, published last summer (2024), is Lifeblood - a history of the Burn Valley in North Norfolk. He is currently working on the story of the last 100 years of British advertising. 

Booking information

• Advance booking for this event is required. In order to book you will need an account on our website. If you already have an account you will be prompted to log in when you click 'book now'. Please create an account if you do not have one yet (you do not need to be a member of the Society to create an account).
• Tickets are £5, and free for RGS-IBG members. Students can book free tickets by entering the code Student at checkout. Please book by midday on 1 May.
• We do not issue tickets (electronic or physical) for this event. Instead your name will be on a list at the door.

If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please email events@rgs.org

This event has been organised by the East of England committee.