Patrick Besson publishes "Nice-Ville", a book between essay, novel, travel guide and loving homage to the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes.

The author explains Monday in "Culture Médias" why he considers that his city of heart is the second most important municipality in the history of French literature, after Paris.

INTERVIEW

Here is a book which should boost the morale of the people of Nice.

And keep them busy during their weekends confined because of the Covid-19.

The writer Patrick Besson publishes 

Nice-Ville

a book in the form of a declaration of love for his city of heart, between novel, travel guide and essay.

The author, born in Paris, explains Monday in 

Culture Médias 

the privileged relationship, and sometimes unrecognized, which unites the city of Nice to the history of French literature.

>> Find Culture Médias in replay and podcast here

Gary, Céline and Martin du Gard

"From my point of view, Nice is, after Paris, the French city which has been crossed by the most authors. And very considerable authors", estimates Patrick Besson.

His book tells the story of the relationship between the city and famous authors such as Romain Gary and Louis-Ferdinand Céline.

"In every street in Nice, we walk on a great writer," he explains.

Among these authors, Patrick Besson recalls the presence of Roger Martin du Gard, "We must not forget that 

L'Été 14

 was written almost entirely in Nice, in total enchantment which is very well reproduced in his correspondence with André Gide" , indicates the author of 

Nice-Ville

. 

"A kind of verbal photograph"

Patrick Besson first wrote this ode to Nice for himself.

"I wrote this book so that I could read it and reread it, because I don't take pictures. I take photographs with words," explains the writer.

"It's a book that is made up of little notes, each paragraph is a kind of verbal photograph."

>> READ ALSO - 

The unexpected portrait… of Patrick Besson

This form of sporadic writing, in small paragraphs, is for the author synonymous with freedom in the manner of speaking of Nice.

"I wanted to be able to go in all directions, including that of confidence, that of comments on current events, on the history of Nice. And on its literary history, above all."

A novel that is a great way to (re) discover a city that the health crisis keeps away from tourists.