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James Bond, a Spy on the Côte d’Azur…

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Daniel Craig in the role of 007, the latest James Bond blockbuster “No Time to Die” recently hit the movie theatres. But did you know that Ian Fleming’s hero has been a regular visitor to the Côte d’Azur ever since his adventures began? Let’s take a closer look at some of the world-famed secret agent’s favourite hangouts.

 

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc beach in Cap d’Antibes

In the opening scene of “Diamonds Are Forever”, released in 1971, Guy Hamilton films a vengeful Sean Connery interrogating (and choking) a young woman on a chic beach, forcing her to reveal the whereabouts of his arch enemy Ernst Stravo Blofeld. The scene was shot on the golden sands of the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, at the end of Cap d’Antibes. It has to be said, James Bond has pretty good taste when it comes to accommodation: a Napoleon III style hotel built in 1870, the Cap-Eden-Roc was a favourite haunt of Jules Verne, Marc Chagall and Rita Hayworth…

Grande Corniche & Monaco

In Martin Campbell’s 1995 Bond film “Goldeneye”, Pierce Brosnan is in a car chase along the Grande Corniche, running across Col d’Eze. A heart-stopping succession of hairpin bends and deafening accelerations, the scene ends with a plunging view over Monaco. The film also features a scene shot at the Monte Carlo Casino. “Goldeneye” is actually the name of the magnificent home of Ian Fleming – the father of James Bond – in Jamaica. Set facing the Caribbean Sea, the villa was purchased by the writer in 1946 and it was there that he wrote the legendary James Bond saga.

Saint-Tropez

In John Glen’s 1983 “Octopussy” starring Roger Moore, 007 is filmed wandering through a superb seaside villa. Subsequently renamed “Octopussy” in tribute to the film, this villa – which is supposed to be in Jamaica – is actually in Saint-Tropez, and more precisely at Cap Saint-Pierre. Built in 1956 for Baron Fritz Von Opel, it embodies the mythical Saint-Tropez of the Sixties and was the venue for lavish high society parties at the time. And the decor couldn’t be better: the Villa Octopussy is graced with its own private port carved into the cliff, a helipad, nine bedrooms, an exotic garden adorned with waterfalls and an overflowing pool…

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    Juan-les-Pins

    Juan-les-Pins is famed the world over for its stunning pine wood, golden sandy beaches, casinos and endless parties… In Ian Fleming’s novels, this heavenly little Mediterranean resort nestling between Golfe-Juan and Cap d’Antibes is where James Bond liked to rest between two assignments. Everything wasn’t perfect though: the secret agent wasn’t happy with the town’s ever-growing numbers of tourists. Juan-les-Pins’ popularity certainly did skyrocket over the 20th century, initially attracting wealthy English travellers, then Americans, who brought the town to fame.

    Villefranche-sur-Mer

    Several scenes from the 1983 Bond film “Never Say Never Again” starring Sean Connery were shot at Quai de l’Amiral Courbet on the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It was here that Largo – Bond’s sworn enemy and missile thief – moored his boat. In the same film, we see the British secret agent dancing with Largo’s girlfriend Domino at the Monte Carlo Casino.

    007 and the Côte d’Azur – a never-ending story…

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