Sandi Toksvig returns to television with a new travelogue, Sandi's Great Riviera Rail Trip, airing on Channel 4 on Saturday 29 November at 8.05pm. The four-part series follows the former QI host as she explores the French Riviera by train, covering just over 100 miles of coastline. Toksvig aims to uncover the region's rich past and vibrant present, focusing on the artists, writers and freethinkers who transformed it from sleepy fishing villages into a dream destination.
The show opens with Toksvig on a beach, clad in a sensible hat and clutching a brown suitcase, before a montage of her eating bouillabaisse, swimming in an infinity pool and climbing steps. Her journey begins in Sanary-sur-Mer, where a local historian discusses the pre-war influx of exiled German writers, including Aldous Huxley, who was less than impressed with the newcomers. The episode also features bouillabaisse, a boat trip, a game of boules and a visit to a biodynamic vineyard.
Toksvig's style is described as effortlessly entertaining, whether she is wandering through Edith Wharton's terraced garden or meeting donkeys that help keep a beach clean. The series is part of a long tradition of celebrity travelogues, but Toksvig's unique charm sets it apart. She is not quite a national treasure, but is certainly approaching national trinket status, with her cheerful pootling and witty asides.
While some artier sections feel compressed, and there are moments when the show seems eager to move on from talking points to more lighthearted scenes, the overall tone is jaunty and unfussy. The blue skies, teal sea and Toksvig's evident enjoyment make for a delightful watch. As she peers through binoculars, asking what's not to like, the answer is clearly nothing.
