French Riviera and Its Artists: Art, Literature, Love, and Life on the Côte d'Azur

Baxter's overview of the saucy characters of art, literature, and dance, many whose names we recognize, was a very easy and entertaining read.  Each chapter is its own story so reading in short intervals was perfect.  It sets them into their historic time among the wars, tells the individual circumstances bringing them to Cote d'Azur, and spices the story with gossip of their dalliances.  You can put this one down but you can't leave it.  He tantalizes with what they built, some of which remains and is open to the public just waiting for those of us who want an adventure.  This book is full of good stuff: an index, a map of the area, a timeline with chapter references, prints of posters, photos, art of the many visual artists who lived and worked there.  And, the best was the list of sites of interest by location for reference when traveling the French Riviera.  This one's a keeper.

This is a review which is going to be read by many crazies. Other than that I highly recommend this book written by Gilot. I read many books about fascinating character and genius Picasso. I love genius nuts! This book is written from the vantage point of the one who understood his genius and was also able to identify his complex personality and counteract it, making him angry and yet highly creative. Gillot book is brilliant.

This is a very interesting book about the French Riviera. Unfortunately, the book is very hard to read because the print is faint. It's a shame because this is a good book with lots of beautiful illustrations, both of the personalities who made the French Riviera famous, and of the art work inspired by this beautiful shore.

Episodic and mildly interesting. Not a lot of new information is presented and some that is presented is either questionable or flat out wrong (Princess Grace's eldest child, the current Prince of Monaco, is named "Albert" not Alfred as recorded in the book). But this is not meant to be taken as a serious work so much as a light tour of the foibles and shenanigans of assorted twentieth century celebrities with an at least ephemeral connection to the Riviera and some relationship to the arts writ large: Brigitte Bardot slotted in with Cezanne, Coco Chanel layered on Somerset Maugham. To that extent, this is an okay beach read, but it does not really do justice to the potential of its subject matter.

Even though one must take the errors in stride, it is a fun and fascinating read! To see how so many famous names were all related in one place!

History that explores how the Riviera developed over time to be what it is today with lots of information about the people who chose to live there.

This book tells some unique tidbits about artists, musicians, filmmakers and writers who lived on the Riviera. You it is well arra ged

I haven't read it all yet. It's probably okay.

Stories of the lives of many 19th century painters and writers, when and where they lived on the Riviera. I’m fascinated by how many artists were drawn to this area. Very well written - succinct yet detailed. Excellent background reading for my travels to the Cote d’Azur and visiting art galleries, museums, houses they lived in.

Bought as a present for my grandma as she is French but now lives in UK so thought it would be a nice read for her. Swift delivery, packaged well and she loves it :)

I found this book very easy to read. You don't have to be an art historian to enjoy the book.It's about the artists as people and how they lived in this wonderful area. It's much better in many ways than taking a guided tour because the artists lived in different areas of the Rivera. You get everything about each artist without having to go to all the individual places the artist worked or lived in. It's gossipy too!

Un paseo de la manos de los grandes artistas contemporáneos por un paisaje mágico y lleno de glamour. Ligero y burbujeante, como una copa de champán.

Nice book on this subject, a bit different from others in that each chapter deals with a specific artist rather than a rolling interlinked history. That being said it is in chronological order and does have reference links. Also, I enjoyed that selections of photos which were all new to me unlike many such books on the subject which all use the same selection as each other. Recommended