Agatha Christie's Favorite Bathing Spots

In the Agatha Christie's Poirot adaptation of "Murder on the Links," Captain Arthur Hastings goes out one morning to swim, or bathe, in the ocean. There he bumps into Bella Duveen, the glamorous singer who so entranced him in the lobby of the Hotel Du Golf. When she tells him that the water is freezing, he abandons his swimming plans and instead treats her to breakfast in a warm restaurant. 

Later, after Poirot leaves for London, Hastings meets up with her again. As they walk along the seafront, she convinces him to allow her to tag along to the Police evidence room, where she can see all the items catalogued by Inspector Giraud as he investigates the murder of Paul Renault. He thinks it will all be terribly boring for her. She convinces him that, while she's fascinated by murder, she also enjoys his company.

Deauville, a jewel of the northern coast of France, owes much of its heritage to tourism. The city is renowned for its swimming and bathing opportunities. Over 150 years ago, a series of hydrotherapeutic baths were constructed. Today, visitors are still drawn to its famous pompeian baths.

Agatha Christie loved vacationing in France. Hence, Hercule Poirot often travels there during his storied career. Still, she never lost her love for Torquay. Her childhood home, locating on a stretch of coastline known as the English Riviera, offers beach lovers many places to enjoy an invigorating swim or a relaxing soak. According to one guidebook, Beacon Cove was one of the places Agatha Christie returned to again and again. With its sparkling azure waters and rugged coastline, its easy to imagine her loving this place.

Perhaps that's what drew me to capture this place in more than a photograph. While my wife wandered along the shore, hunting for interesting rocks and shells, I sat down with my pencils and hurriedly sketched out what I saw. The ocean breeze grew cool and bracing as the afternoon waned, but I didn't mind. For an hour or so, I immersed myself in one of Agatha Christie's favorite bathing spots. 

Afterwards, instead of swimming, my wife took me out to a warm restaurant for dinner. But then, she's occasionally admitted that she's fascinated by my sketching, and that she enjoys my company.

Dragon Dave

Agatha Christie's Boardwalks

Should you ever visit Deauville in France, in which the Agatha Christie's Poirot production of "Murder on the Links" took place, you've got plenty of entertainment options. One place you'll definitely want to check out is the Promenade des Plances, a famous boardwalk along the seafront. If you time your stay appropriately, you can take in the Trophee De Deauville. This bicycle race begins on the scenic promenade.

While the riders cycle through this scenic historic town, you can take time to admire the beach life from the comfort of an ocean front bar or restaurant. Or you can walk along the boardwalk and contemplate Deauville's film history. The names of many of Hollywood's finest actors and directors, such as Glenn Close, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas, grace seaside cabins. This is an honor the French have bestowed upon them, in gratitude for their having attended the city's annual film festival. But keep a sharp lookout! 

Mrs. Renault and Gabriel Stonor watch the race on
the Promenade des Planches.

Before long, the racers will return, and you can see which bicyclist crosses the finish line first.

Although Agatha Christie chose to feature neither the boardwalk nor the bicycle race in her novel, visiting seafront boardwalks no doubt formed a regular part of her life. In her hometown of Torquay, a famous boardwalk arcs out from the beach and surrounds the harbor. After strolling through the nearby gardens, shopping at waterfront stores, or eating at a seaside restaurant, what could be nicer than strolling out over the waves, and admiring the boats anchored in the harbor?

The Boardwalk in Agatha Christie's hometown of
Torquay, England.

It's a great place for meeting people, either fellow travelers like yourself, or locals who have also fallen in love with Agatha Christie's Poirot. We found this out, the night we visited Torquay's boardwalk, as I related in A Conversation at the Quay. Having visited several English boardwalks now, I'm curious to visit one in France. The boardwalk in Deauville sounds like a great starting point for an exploration of French boardwalks. Who knows? I might even meet someone famous while walking along that scenic waterfront, such as the sporting Captain Hastings, or the more quiet and retiring Hercule Poirot.

Dragon Dave

French Cuisine & Five-Star Hotels

Should you ever travel to the scenic town of Deauville in France, to visit the sites featured in the Agatha Christie's Poirot adaptation of The Murder on the Links, why not stay at the Hotel Du Golf? This is where Captain Arthur Hastings and his friend Hercule Poirot resided when investigating the death of immigrant Paul Renault, a part owner of the hotel and adjacent golf course, who reportedly made his fortune in precious stones in South America.

The Hotel du Golf, or Hotel Normandy,
as featured in the Agatha Christie's Poirot episode
"Murder on the Links."

Also known as the Hotel Normandy, this five star hotel offers cuisine suited to even the most sophisticated palates, as the well-traveled Belgian detective can attest. It also offers the best entertainment, including the attractive singer Miss Bella Duveen. She's someone whose voice, face, and personality will bowl you over, as Captain Arthur Hastings discovered during his stay in Deauville.

When on vacation, my wife and I find ourselves much more interested in the local cuisine than playing golf. While touring places in Devon mentioned in Charles Kingsley's novel Westward Ho!, such as Bideford, Clovelly and Appledore, we often dined out. The place we stayed that week offered us our own kitchen, so we had the option of making our own breakfasts.

When properly trained,
 Daleks make excellent cooks and waiters.

We often prepared these with items from local grocery stores, as well as leftovers from restaurants we visited.

While staying at the White Horse Lodge opposite Churston Train Station, our breakfasts were sumptuous and filling. The staff were friendly, and the dining area filled with homey touches. 

It was the kind of place I'd gladly return to again, should circumstances allow.

Unlike the famous detective Hercule Poirot, I'm not familiar with French cooking. But if my wife and I visited Deauville, I'd be willing to give it a try, especially if I had a sophisticated gastronomist like Hercule Poirot to guide my choices, and a talented singer like Bella Duveen to serenade us while we ate. Now, only one question remains. Could we afford to stay in a five star resort for more than five minutes? Could you?

Who knew sleuthing paid so good? I guess that's part of the genius of Hercule Poirot.

Dragon Dave

Agatha Christie Loves Trains

This map, used in the beginning of the
 Agatha Christie's Poirot production of
"Murder on the Links," 
adorns a wall in the Deauville Train Station.

Trying to decide where to spend your next vacation? Then consider Deauville, a romantic seaside town in France. It's a historic town with a rich history in sports and cinema. The local casino may even have inspired Ian Fleming to write his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale.

While there are other ways to travel, there's no better way to arrive in Deauville than by train. With the steam engine chugging and hooting, and the passenger cars gently rocking you from side to side, you can drink in the beautiful French scenery rolling past your window, without worrying if you'll make the appropriate turns without getting lost. Plus, you won't have to worry about where to park your car. 

If, like Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's novel The Murder on the Links, you discover that you need to make a quick journey to Paris, Deauville's train station can accommodate you. If, like Hercule Poirot in the Agatha Christie's Poirot TV adaptation, you decide to visit London instead, the train station can help you reach that famous city as well. In fact, whatever your needs, you'll find the porters and station staff ready to render any assistance you require, from carrying your golf clubs to telling you when suspects in a murder investigation arrived or departed. They'll even happily summon a cab for you to transport you to wherever you might be staying. 

As trains formed a crucial part of the transportation system in Agatha Christie's day, they frequently featured in her novels. This proved the case not only for her stories set in France, where events in The Murder on the Links took place, but also those set in England. During our stay outside Torquay, we discovered that our hotel lay directly across from a train station. 

While we relaxed in our comfortable room, and the sumptuous bar (or, if you prefer, pub), we would often hear the whistle of a train arriving or departing, and the bellowing of its mighty steam engine. At the time, I regarded the sounds as something of a distraction, as we were usually exhausted from a day's worth of sightseeing and travel when we returned to our night's lodging. So I never thought to photograph these magnificent old trains that help transport visitors to Agatha Christie's stately vacation home of Greenway. 

If I return to Torquay, I'd love to take one of those magnificent steam trains. Should I ever visit Deauville, taking a train is a transportation option I would definitely consider. Who knows? My wife and I might find ourselves sitting across the aisle from some interesting and convivial people, such as Captain Arthur Hastings, and his indomitable friend Hercule Poirot.

Dragon Dave