Television viewers are in for a treat as Sandi Toksvig embarks on a delightful railway adventure along the stunning French coastline in Sandi's Great Riviera Rail Trip. The four-part series, which premiered on Saturday 29 November at 8.05pm on Channel 4, sees the beloved presenter exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Côte d'Azur while travelling just over one hundred miles by train.
A Celebrity Travelogue With Charm
While Toksvig joins the ranks of celebrity travel presenters like Joanna Lumley and Michael Palin, her approach stands apart through its genuine warmth and intellectual curiosity. Rather than simply visiting exotic locations, she delves deep into the region's transformation from sleepy fishing villages to a world-renowned destination for artists, writers and freethinkers.
The opening episode finds Toksvig in Sanary-sur-Mer, where she explores the area's pre-Second World War creative boom. A local historian guides her through the period when exiled German writers turned the picturesque port town into a vibrant literary salon. The programme reveals how resident author Aldous Huxley, of Brave New World fame, viewed many newcomers with scepticism.
Toksvig's Unique Travel Style
This isn't Toksvig's first foray into travel programming, following her previous series Extraordinary Escapes around Britain. What makes her such compelling company is her natural ability as a master pootler - someone who finds joy in leisurely exploration rather than rushed tourism.
Viewers are treated to numerous charming scenes of the diminutive Danish presenter, often clad in sensible headwear and clutching her signature brown suitcase, ambling through museums or scurrying down continental alleyways. Her encounters range from the thoughtful - reflecting on feminist writer Edith Wharton in her terraced garden above Hyères - to the whimsical, such as meeting donkeys named Justin who help keep Plage de Pampelonne beach litter-free.
Culinary and Cultural Delights
The travelogue doesn't shy away from the region's gastronomic pleasures, featuring Toksvig enjoying bouillabaisse while wearing a bib in Sanary-sur-Mer. Other highlights include a relaxing boat trip, visits to local markets where pensioners play boules, and a stop at a biodynamic vineyard for a refreshing glass of rosé.
While the programme maintains a jaunty, unfussy tone throughout, there are moments where viewers might wish for more depth. Some artistic segments feel compressed, and there's a sense that Channel 4 occasionally prioritises visual appeal over substantive discussion, particularly during Toksvig's more reflective moments about historical figures.
Nevertheless, the series succeeds as marvellous entertainment, combining stunning cinematography of the Mediterranean coastline with Toksvig's trademark wit and curiosity. As she peers through binoculars at the sea, wondering what critics might find to dislike about her railway adventure, the answer seems clear: absolutely nothing. This is television at its most joyful and life-affirming.
