A little child approaches a stand where books come to life under the Nice pine tree. He observes with his big eyes, the writer in a blue shirt with a bass voice, then says: “Mommy? It’s the same one from the TV!” Instinctively, the famous TF1 news presenter warmly shakes his hand. The toddler is stunned, not yet able to differentiate between reality and television. And indeed, it was the real Patrick Poivre d’Arvor who was in front of him!
The faithful writer-journalist was present at this festival with an array of books: novels, essays, a series dedicated to the great sailors of the world written with his brother, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor. A true library! The fascinating world of “Adventurers of the Seas,” “Treasure Hunters,” “Sea Runners,” “Pirates or Privateers” attracts both old and young from Nice.
It’s difficult to approach this “prodigy of the pen” as he is so popular. He stands up. We take the opportunity to approach him. Oh, he’s leaving. Quickly, we ask if he would give us a few minutes. He agrees. Here we go! He, who is used to juggling between two worlds, will balance between our questions and signing autographs. His availability matches his talent! Even though he quotes Jules Vallès: “What they call my talent is merely made of my conviction.”
Nice-Premium: Are you a regular at the Nice Book Festival?
Patrick Poivre d’Arvor: Yes. Initially because of family reasons since my grandparents lived in Nice and I used to go there often as a child. And also, because the organizers work hard, so they need to be supported.
N-P: Is meeting your readers important to you?
P.P.D.A.: Yes, when people have read the previous books, that’s great. Okay, sometimes there are more superficial encounters, but there are others that are really profound, especially when people talk to me about the books concerning my daughter. It touches me to talk about it. Just today, I’ve had four very beautiful encounters.
N-P: Having been a news presenter on TF1 for many years, what has that taught you?
P.P.D.A.: A kind of tolerance with a view of a more open world. Seeing, discovering, understanding… I find that wonderful, it always awakens curiosity.
N-P: What displeases you in the profession of journalism?
P.P.D.A.: Sometimes, the “pack” behavior. You have to like this or that person. You have to dislike this or that person. Otherwise, the profession is wonderful. True, sometimes the behavior of others isn’t always elegant, but the rest of it is a very beautiful profession.
N-P: Do you think that a journalist without a press card is still a journalist?
P.P.D.A.: Of course. You know, it’s not a press card that determines the quality of a journalist. By nature, it’s the employer who decides.
N-P: What advice would you give to a young journalist starting out in the profession?
P.P.D.A.: Have a lot of enthusiasm and as I mentioned earlier, have tolerance, generosity, and don’t harbor prejudices.
N-P: With more and more web newspapers emerging, do you appreciate this new media format?
P.P.D.A.: Everything is worth considering. You just have to be sure of the sources, check carefully, pay close attention to be very scrupulous, and eliminate rumors that spread.
N-P: And finally, if I say “First” or “Premier,” who or what do you think of?
P.P.D.A.: My first class.
