Deauville

Deauville is a glamorous seaside resort on the Côte Fleurie in Calvados, known for its Belle Époque architecture, racecourse, and international film festival. It has attracted Parisian high society since the 19th century and remains a byword for elegant seaside leisure, with its famous boardwalk (Les Planches) lined with beach cabins named after American movie stars.

Deauville is served by the Gare de Deauville-Trouville station, which has direct trains from Paris (Gare Saint-Lazare, about 2 hours). The A13 motorway ends just outside Deauville. Deauville-Normandie Airport has seasonal flights from the UK. Ferries operate to Le Havre (30 km north).

Deauville is compact and best explored on foot. Les Planches and the town center are easily walkable. Taxis and horse-drawn carriages are available. Bicycle rental is an option for exploring the coast.

• Les Planches — the celebrated seaside boardwalk with named cabins

• Deauville Racecourse (Hippodrome de Deauville-La Touques) — thoroughbred horse racing

• Casino de Deauville — a historic Belle Époque casino on the seafront

• Villa Strassburger — a luxurious Belle Époque villa open for tours

• Les Franciscaines — a cultural center in a former convent

• Walk Les Planches and swim at the beach

• Attend a horse race at the La Touques racecourse

• Visit during the Deauville American Film Festival (September)

• Play golf at one of Deauville's two golf courses

• Browse the market at Place du Marché

Deauville has multiple Michelin-starred restaurants alongside seafood brasseries and crêperies. The focus is on high-quality Norman cuisine with fresh seafood.

The bars around the casino and seafront hotels are lively, especially during the film festival and racing season. Champagne and Calvados are the drinks of choice.

Deauville has a wide range of upscale hotels, including the iconic Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy and Hôtel Barrière Le Royal. There are also mid-range options and holiday apartments.

Deauville is a shopping destination with designer boutiques along Rue Eugène-Colas and the town center. The covered market offers gourmet Norman products.

• Trouville-sur-Mer — Deauville's more relaxed sister resort, a 10-minute walk across the Touques River
• Honfleur — 15 km east, a picturesque old port
• Caen — 50 km west, with William the Conqueror's castle
• Le Havre — 30 km north via Pont de Normandie