Agatha Christie’s ‘English Riviera’ Devon hometown seals twinning deal with Belgian Spa birthplace of her sleuth Hercule Poirot

Agatha Christie’s hometown of Devon has made a deal to twin with the birthplace of iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.

The Golden Age murder mystery novelist was born on 15 September 1890 in Torbay, the ‘English Riviera’ in south-west England.

Now, on the centenary of the novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which featured Poirot as Christie’s defining character, the fictional Belgian detective’s hometown of Spa is being paired with Christie’s hometown of Devon.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the author’s death. The pairing is expected to celebrate the unique literary and cultural ties both regions share through one of fiction’s most enduring detectives.

Poirot’s birthplace first appeared in Christie’s 1927 novel The Big Four, and in her autobiography published in 1977, she wrote about how her encounters with Belgian refugees in Torquay as a nurse during the First World War inspired Poirot.

Both Torbay and Spa are heritage tourism destinations.

Torbay, home to the seaside towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, is a UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Spa in the Ardennes region of eastern Belgium is listed as one of UNESCO’s Great Spa Cities of Europe.

This marks the first pairing with another town for either region, which features strongly in Christie’s work.

Detective Hercule Poirot was from Spa in the Ardennes region of eastern Belgium (pictured)

Christie’s hometown of Torbay in Devon, south-west England, has been called the ‘English Riviera’

Poirot has been portrayed in many television and film adaptations since Christie first introduced him to readers.

In the novel The Big Four, Poirot and Hastings find themselves in a villa near the town of Spa in Wallonia, in the province of Liège, which many readers interpret as Poirot’s family home.

The pairing initiative was first conceived during the controversy surrounding the collaboration between Agatha Christie Limited and June’s Journey, the globally popular mystery mobile game developed by Wooga that welcomes Hercule Poirot into the gaming world as part of a special anniversary celebration this year.

Following the announcement of the intention to twinning this month, representatives from Spa will travel to Torquay in September during the Agatha Christie Festival, where civic leaders from both towns will officially commemorate the twinning with a special signing ceremony.

James Prichard, Agatha Christie’s grandson and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited, said: ‘There are many mysteries about Hercule Poirot’s family and his early years in Belgium, particularly where he was born and spent his childhood.

‘The spa certainly plays a part in his life story and linking it to Torbay in this way feels like a fitting tribute to the great Belgian detective.’

Councilor Jackie Thomas, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture, said: ‘Hercule Poirot may be a fictional character, but his story created a very real connection between Torbay and Spa.

‘Before Agatha Christie created one of the most beloved characters in literary history, she was inspired by the Belgian refugees she encountered in Torquay during the First World War.

A century after ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ made Poirot a global phenomenon, it is fitting that his legacy helps bring our societies together.

‘We look forward to welcoming our friends from Spa to Torbay later this year to celebrate this unique event.’

Alda Greoli, Head of Culture and History at Spa Council, said: ‘The spa is honored to take part in this twinning arrangement and celebrate our unique connection with Hercule Poirot.

‘Although Poirot is a fictional character, he remains one of Belgium’s most famous cultural ambassadors.

‘This initiative highlights the enduring international appeal of Agatha Christie’s work and demonstrates how literature can continue to build bridges between communities.

‘We look forward to visiting Torbay in September and celebrating this special relationship together.’