Death on the Nile: a trip through Agatha Christie's mysterious London

The new film adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's most famous novels,

Signed by director Kenneth Branagh, the feature film features Gal Gadot, star of

, Annette Benning (

), Emma Mackey (

mini-series

on Arte.

Agatha Christie remains to this day the most translated author in the world;

and the most read British writer after Shakespeare!

We therefore take advantage of the release of the film to take you in the footsteps of the "queen of crime", in London, through the maze of streets of the capital, full of intersecting destinies and mysteries...

Tea time at your favorite hotel

File photo of the front of Brown's Hotel.

Brown's Hotel / Photo press

Although she was not born in London, but in Torquay, Agatha Christie lived in different areas of the English capital, especially during the war.

Brown's Hotel (changed to the Rocco Forte Hotels banner in 2003) was one of his favorite London addresses.

It is also said that his book

was inspired by it… Even today, the building displays its long facade in the street parallel to Old Bond Street, opposite the flagship of the jeweler Tiffany's.

In the cozy atmosphere of this bon ton hotel, it is not difficult to imagine Agatha Christie having tea, while discreetly observing the other guests to build her characters.

Despite its complete renovation in 2004, Brown's has kept something chic and discreet faithful to the time of its creation (1837).

We recommend having a drink at Charlie's Bar, a peaceful refuge surrounded by wooden panels, where bouquets of flowers and exotic wallpaper echo one another.

Afternoon tea supporters will rather go to the room dedicated to this purpose (this is usually the Drawing Room, currently under construction).

As for liqueur lovers, they will head for the Donovan Bar, for a more effervescent atmosphere.

If you have time, take a tour of the other great London hotels that were favored by Agatha Christie, and where she celebrated some of her firsts: Claridge's, the Ritz London and the Savoy Hotel.

Brown's Hotel

Read alsoLondon: the five best “afternoon teas”

Through neighborhoods like crime scenes

22 Cresswell Place, Chelsea, where Agatha Christie lived.

Google Street View

A tireless and prolific author, Agatha Christie often made London the setting of her intrigues.

Known districts of the English capital are therefore regularly included.

Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street are mentioned in

and

;

while the Seven Dials district, located just behind Covent Garden, is mentioned in

(or The Seven Dials Mystery).

Just like the queen of crime in her time, don't hesitate to explore London – preferably on foot – to better immerse yourself in its scenery.

From Leicester Square to Soho, without forgetting St Paul's Cathedral, there is plenty to see.

Also think of Paddington station, mentioned in

p.m.

Also drop by to see his home at 22 Cresswell Place, Chelsea;

it is the only London residence that Christie kept all his life.

Near Covent Garden this time you will find the Agatha Christie Memorial, erected in 2012 at the intersection of Cranbourn Street and Great Newport Street.

This bronze sculpture is 2.4 meters high.

Cultivating mystery in the theater

The Mousetrap

, or

, is given at St Martin's Theatre.

Flickr/Creative Commons

Several plays of the Queen of Mystery are still performed at the theater.

This is the case with

, which has remained in theaters since its premiere in 1952, and whose performances take place at St Martin's Theater (Covent Garden).

Summary of the story: at the Monkswell mansion, which has become a hotel run by a couple, a murder takes place;

the culprit is among those present.

But clients or the couple, who is it?

You can also watch the semi-immersive production of

, which takes place in the former debating chamber of County Hall – an iconic building in London, facing Big Ben, and located a few steps from the London Eye, on the same bank.

Leonard Vole is accused of the murder of Emily French, a very wealthy elderly lady, of whom he is the principal heir.

Leonard's wife testifies against him.

Will he be able to clear himself in front of the jury (of which the spectators are a part)?

And if he's not the culprit, who is?

La Souricière

Prosecution witness

And outside of London?

The legendary Art Deco hotel on Burgh Island where “Ten Little Negroes” takes place.

It is accessed by a kind of tractor that drives in the sea. OLIVIER ROQUES ROGERY / LE FIGARO MAGAZINE

Agatha Christie is also (and just as much) Devon, a region dear to her heart, where she was born.

As soon as the weather allows it, a beautiful trip is essential for any assiduous reader of the queen of crime.

Departing from Paddington station, we reach Torquay and its coast, otherwise known as the English Riviera, where she frequently stayed.

The Imperial Hotel Torquay, the Grand Hotel (where she spent her honeymoon with her first husband, Archibald Christie), the Princess Gardens are among the stages of her life, and essential to visit today.

We will also not fail to pass by Greenway, the beautiful residence that she bought to make it her second home, and which she described as “the most beautiful place in the world”.

And of course, it will absolutely be necessary to conclude this journey with a night at Burgh Island, where the fascinating Burgh Island Hotel, an Art Deco nugget, has hosted the writer several times.

It was there that she imagined the famous

(which should no longer be called Ten Little Negroes), her greatest success and one of the best-selling books in the world.

Read alsoIn Devon, in the footsteps of Agatha Christie