You may not know it, but this week is Agatha Christie Week. Since Friday, Torquay has been hosting the Agatha Christie Festival and on Saturday, celebrated the 125th anniversary of her birth.
One of the most famous and successful murder mystery writers of all time, “Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie created some of literatures most loved detectives. Hercule Poirot is by far her most famous creation and is the main focus of this article.
Poirot’s cases took him all over Europe, to the very best hotels, and by the most exclusive means of transportation. Much of this is a reflection of Christie’s own travels around the world. Perhaps her longest trip was a round the world sea voyage in the 1920’s which took in Australia, South Africa, and North America. She also travelled to the Middle East and spent long periods of time in Iraq.
Her experiences abroad helped to bring to life her choices of locations and transport the reader to Poirot’s side as he solved even the most inexplicable chain of events. But where are the best Hercule Poirot locations to visit?
South Devon:
Torquay & Burgh Island – Home, And Then There Were None, Evil Under the Sun
Born in Torquay, Christie grew up in Devon before moving to Paris and then Cairo. She returned to the English Riviera whenever she could and her holiday home, Greenway, near Brixham is now owned by the National Trust and open throughout most of the year.
Her masterpiece And Then There Were None (and Evil Under the Sun) were partially inspired by Burgh Island. The Island was used as a film location for Evil Under the Sun and an episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot but not for And Then There Were None.
Egypt:
Death on the Nile
Published in 1937, Death on the Nile tells the story of Poirot’s cruise down the Nile and the murder of wealthy heiress Linnet Ridgeway. Many of the best – and most easily reached – locations are to be found around Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.
Luxor isn’t known as the “World’s Greatest Open Air Museum” for nothing. The ruined temples of Karnak and Luxor are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Africa whilst the Valley of the Kings really brings to life how feted the ancient Pharos were.
Best way to explore the area: If a cruise down the Nile isn’t an option drive from Cairo to Luxor for a fantastic Egyptian road trip.
Istanbul, Belgrade, Zagreb:
Murder on the Orient Express
Possibly her most famous book, Murder on the Orient Express sees Poirot having to return from Istanbul to London via the Orient Express. He awakes one morning to discover a murder has taken place and is asked to solve the case before the train reaches Yugoslavia.
As 99% of the action takes place on a train, it’s tricky to pick out the best spots to explore. Istanbul is perhaps the most culturally fascinating option. Head to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and the Dolmabahçe Palace for some truly stunning architecture.
If you’d rather explore Eastern Europe, Belgrade and Zagreb offer the best options whilst staying true to the story. The murder took place around Vinkovci – when the train was halted by a snowdrift – and is easily reached by either city.
Zagreb Cathedral is a striking building and a must see for any fans of Gothic architecture whilst the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade is home to a vast collection of books, papers, and technical displays.
If you want to get out of the cities, why not consider exploring the Croatian coast whilst here?
The Canary Islands:
The Mystery of the Blue Train
OK, Poirot didn’t actually visit the Canaries but Agatha Christie did. In fact, she wrote The Mystery of the Blue Train whilst staying in La Orotava just inland from Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife. However, she didn’t like the climate or steep volcanic beach and moved to Las Palmas on Gran Canaria for the remainder of her holiday.
Another train based plot, The Mystery of the Blue Train sees Poirot try to solve the murder of a young heiress who was strangled and robbed on her way to the South of France. In an unhappy marriage, Katherine Grey is heading to meet her lover when she meets her fate. Published around the time of Christie’s own divorce, this gives a small insight into her own feelings of betrayal and loss at the time.
Northern France:
Deauville – Murder on the Links
Although the town of Merlinville-sur-Mer is fictional, the TV episode of Murder on the Links was filmed around Deauville in the Calvados region of Lower Normandy. This is certainly as good a place as any to start exploring the luxurious coastal hotels, casinos, chateaux, and D-Day beaches.
Let’s hope your time here is less stressful than that of poor old Poirot. Summoned to France by Paul Renauld who fears for his life, Poirot arrives just in time to be told Monsieur Renauld has been murdered and a young French detective is on the wrong scent.
Curtain
If you think we’ve missed out any obvious locations or stories, get in touch below and let us know.
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