Poor Roman Polanski.
The 76-year-old, Paris-based director couldn’t travel to Switzerland from his elegant hideout city this past weekend without getting arrested. Shameful, considering that nearly everyone, including the now-adult woman he drugged and shagged in ’77 (when she was 13 years old) has either made peace with his crime and/or learned about the L.A. judge and prosecutor who broke the law trying to jail him.
In light of Polanski’s recent (L.A. district attorney-arranged) arrest in the land of chocolate and cheese, however, we would like to present a list of future French territory travel options for the defamed filmmaker — should Paris become passé — if he ever sees the light of day again. Herewith, our four favorites.
1. Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the islands of French Polynesia (including Wallis and Futuna)
Not only did these gorgeous atolls provide a restorative escape for another free-loving artist (Paul Gaugin), Jon Favreau’s new forthcoming film Couples Retreat is based there. Think of the range of Fun possible in these parts — snorkeling with Vince Vaughn, tasting fresh vanilla extract, shark feeding, fire dancing, and the chance to actually hide out at the luxurious, 007-worthy Le Taha’a Private Resort and Spa.
From studying a famous guillotine to attending a Basque festival (featuring activities like jai-alai and lumberjack skills), these North American islands in the balmy Gulf of St. Lawrence would offer anyone a chance to escape the grid. Sure, it’s not as sophisticated a region as Paris, but without a remote place to reflect in safety, how can a great creative mind thrive? My recommended hotel: Résidence les Iris.
3. Mayotte
Enjoyed with a clear conscience, this collection of islands in the southwest Indian Ocean provides an astonishing break from reality. Run through fields of ylang-ylang or dive around one of the most undisturbed coral reefs in the world. You’re almost guaranteed never to meet anyone who has heard of Sharon Tate much less Rosemary’s Baby. I’d stay at Le Jardin Maore. It sounds sweet.
4. Réunion
Another Indian Ocean island, this lush hideaway is just east of Madagascar, where the fauna is apparently talented. But don’t count out Réunion so fast. Not only is the reef-diving almost as phenomenal as Mayotte’s, panthers are this island’s largest native animal. (Talk about killer instinct.) Too, Réunion sustains appreciation for its active volcano, waterfalls, and unusual langauge, Réunion Creole, which is about more than just adding “shonnn” to the end of every word (i.e. Extraditionnnn). I’ve never stayed there myself, but the Blue Margouillat enjoys excellent reviews.
Vive la liberte!
Adam Baer
A former Travel + Leisure correspondent and NPR producer, TFT’s founding editor-at-large and travel editor Adam Baer has written for Harper’s, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Financial Times Magazine, New Yorker, GQ, Rolling ...
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arrested, bora bora, france, french polynesia, fugitive travel, indion ocean, le tahaa, mayotte, paris, reunion, roman polanski, rosemary's baby, sharon tate, st. pierre, tahiti
Joel Sax says:
Defamed? Polanski pleaded GUILTY to having sex with this woman. He was CONVICTED. There are no false allegations being made, only a bunch of naives who think being a great artists lets you be anything, even a serial killer or a rapist of children.
Adam Baer says:
Hi Joel, The above article states that Polanski did break the law in 1977 (in a big way). But thanks for sharing your opinions!
cb on bonanzle says:
Manson follower Susan Atkins who had killed Roman Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate died a couple of days ago and now this announced arrest of Roman Polanski.
What I can't understand is, how did Polanski manage to evade the law all these years with the so called technology of cameras and GPS, etc. There is just NO way that one can hide from the law with all of technology that is out there.
Something is just screwy here. I think the authorities DID know where he was hiding all these years. And one has to question as to why did they decide to arrest him NOW and not arrest him from years ago? Not to mention that this is going to cost taxpayers money for a trial that will drag on for years.
This is another example of how there is no such thing as "justice" in the justice system in the USA. Criminals go free while the innocent and victims get sent to prison.
Kell Brigan says:
RAPED
DRUGGED
CHILD
What don't you get?
Adam Baer says:
Kell, I get it all. Plus, this is just some levity. But read this piece if you can: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2009/09/roman-polanski-still-being-stalked-by-la-county-prosecutors.html
John Lennon says:
now that Atkins is dead there's no one to corroborate Polanski's version of the Tate murder. it was his threat of tying it all together with JFK, RFK, Monroe, Manson, Berkowitz, Scientology, etc. that kept him free for so long.
France says:
I'm not sure why this kind of information is found on a blog post. I'd like to live in France as well, but legally. Otherwise, I don't see how I could enjoy the life here.