Is Deauville worth a visit? If you’re looking to plan your weekend or vacation in a place oftimeless elegance, the answer is yes.
Deauville is an emblematic destination in Normandy. With its immense beaches, Anglo-Norman Belle Époque architecture, racecourse, casinos and palaces, the seaside resort offers a unique and chic experience. And don’t forget the famous American Film Festival and gastronomy!
Discover in this article our 12 reasons to put Deauville at the top of your list of destinations to discover in Normandy.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Deauville worth a visit?
Absolutely! We really enjoyed Deauville. First, there are the famous Les Planches de Deauville, which line the beach. They offer a splendid promenade around the Art-Deco architecture of the Etablissement des Bains de Mer. The cabins are named after some of the biggest stars in American cinema. American Film Festival obliges!
There’s Anglo-Norman Belle Époque architecture, historic villas and legendary hotels. Unheard-of palaces with elegant reception rooms and hushed corridors. Deauville is also a town where horses play an important role. From training on the beach, to the races at theracecourse, a mythical place where we imagined we’d run into Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.
Deauville is also a city of culture that has inspired the greatest artists: Flaubert, Sagan, Appolinaire, Colette, Boudin, Chanel, Léger, Saint-Laurent, Lelouch, Van Dongen… and many others. Today, it is the epicenter of the Planches Contact Festival. An event that supports contemporary creation. And of course, Deauville is a gourmet destination, where we tasted Norman cheeses, Norman sole, scallops and Vallée d’Auge chicken…
Whether you’re looking for relaxation, entertainment or discovery, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Deauville. And for more details on everything the town has to offer, read our article on our top things to do in Deauville.
WHERE TO STAY IN Deauville
Option 1: downtown
For easy access to the beach, beautiful downtown and restaurants… We recommend..:
- Hotel Villa Augeval with its charming manor houses – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Le Patio for good value – see prices, photos and availability
- And for luxury, Hôtel Le Normandy is a must – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: in the countryside
Less than 15 minutes from Deauville, you can enjoy a peaceful stay surrounded by greenery. We recommend..:
- Hotel Les Manoirs de Tourgeville – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Trouville
On the other side of the harbor is the twin town of Trouville, also with beautiful villas but a more relaxed atmosphere. We recommend..:
- Hotel Le Flaubert, les pieds dans le sable – see prices, pictures and availability
Reason 1- For the famous Art-Deco promenade of Les Planches
A walk along the beach on Les Planches de Deauville is an experience not to be missed. Les Planches de Deauville is one of the most emblematic symbols of Normandy. Walking here is more than just a stroll. It’s a journey through the history and glamour of this famous seaside resort.
We love the chic, elegant aesthetic and Art-Deco architecture of the Établissement des Bains de Mer. Known as the Pompeian Baths, they are listed as a Historic Monument. The mosaics are splendid. We particularly appreciated the view of the beach from the cabins, whose railings are named after Hollywood stars. They are an opportunity to hunt for the names of the most famous of them.
Les Planches de Deauville has been associated with glamour and prestige for decades. The town was once a popular resort for French and international high society. It has attracted celebrities, artists and personalities from all over the world.
Reason 2 – For the huge beach
Deauville beach is also a star. It stretches over 2km and has been immortalized many times in films. We’re obviously thinking of Claude Lelouche’s film “Un homme et une femme” and its famous dabadabada dabadabada. The film won the Palme d’Or in 1966. He made Deauville beach the romantic setting par excellence.
We loved its endless horizon, soothing waves and refreshing sea breeze. It’s an idyllic setting for relaxing, rejuvenating and connecting with nature. Whether you like to swim, take an early-morning or evening stroll at sunset, or simply lounge on the sand, this iconic beach is sure to please.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Reason 3 – For Anglo-Norman architecture
Deauville’s architectural styles range from the sober brickwork of the Second Empire to the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements of the early 20th century. But the style that stands out most when visiting the town is the Anglo-Norman style. We loved the warmth of the painted woodwork, which reminded us of the rural buildings of Normandy.
The Normandy style is typical of the Pays d’Auge, with its half-timbered walls, checkerboard brickwork, use of painted wood and subtle interplay of roofs… It’s also found in new buildings. The facades, now clad in painted concrete, simulate brick, stone and half-timber. We were amused by the shapes of the roofs, which sometimes give Deauville the air of an enchanted village. Kids love it!
Reason 4 – For legendary hotels
Deauville is also famous for its luxurious grand establishments. You don’t have to stay there to enjoy the wonderful spaces they shelter. You can enjoy a drink or a spa treatment. There’s theHôtel Le Normandy, of course, with its cottage feel, apple tree-lined courtyard and rooms decorated with toile de Jouy. His famous customers include Winston Churchill, Françoise Sagan and King Charles III. See prices, photos and availability.
A few steps away, near the casino, we were impressed by the imposing silhouette ofHôtel Le Royal. It seems to dominate the beach, rising 7 storeys above the sea. Its checkerboard and pan de bois facade gives it a pleasant Norman air. This is where Colette used to get off. See prices, photos and availability. Finally, outside town, in the hills near the golf course, another Art Deco-style establishment displays its modernity. This is theHôtel du Golf. See prices, photos and availability.
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Reason 5 – For the equestrian atmosphere
Deauville is historically linked to the horse. The town is even considered the equestrian capital of France. This dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the beach was used as a galloping track where the first races were organized. Since then, two racecourses have been built: La Touques and Clairefontaine. You can attend the races that attract the world’s best horses and jockeys.
If, like us, you prefer to watch them trot or gallop along the beach, you’ll probably want to take the opportunity to get in the saddle. Why not try horseback riding? Accompanied by an instructor, you can choose your pace. Unless your mount decides to do it for you. See prices, photos and availability.
Reason 6 – For festivals (American cinema and photography)
Since the mid-70s, the Deauville American Film Festival has presented some 100 American films. The event lasts 10 days, around mid-September. Deauville plays host to a host of Hollywood personalities: actors, actresses and directors, between screenings and red carpets. Of these illustrious names, the ones we found on the Planches cabins remain. Find out more here.
Since 2010, the Planches Contact festival has been dedicated to contemporary photography, transforming the town into a huge open-air exhibition space during thewinter months. Each year, the festival invites artists in residence to produce original projects that illustrate the diverse identity of the Normandy region. We enjoyed discovering their work on display at various venues around town, including the Les Franciscaines cultural center. Find out more here.
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Reason 7 – For our unique cultural heritage
In addition to cinema and photography, the Côte Fleurie has also inspired many painters. French Impressionists such asEugène Boudin captured the unique light and picturesque landscapes of the coast in their works. We’ve also chosen Raoul Dufy‘s colorful, cheerful works, often inspired by Deauville’s beach scenes and horse races. They reflect the city’s vibrant atmosphere. But there are also Kees van Dongen and Fernand Léger…
On the literary front, many writers have spent time in Deauville to find inspiration. Gustave Flaubert was a regular visitor, Guillaume Appolinaire did a series of reports there, and Colette stayed at Hôtel Le Royal. We loved the anecdote about Françoise Sagan gambling at the casino and winning enough money to buy the house she was renting in Honfleur. Last but not least, the names of Marcel Proust and Marguerite Duras are inseparable from the Normandy coast.
Sacha Guitry, the famous French actor and playwright who fell in love with Deauville, said of the town: “ Other towns welcome you, only Deauville welcomes you”.
Reason 8 – For gastronomy
Normandy is certainly one of France’s most renowned regions for its gastronomy. We also learned that it is France’s leading scallop fishing region. But oysters (at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Veules…) and mussels are also produced. There’s alsosalt-meadow lamb, raised in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, andouille from Vire, tripe à la mode from Caen, black pudding from Mortagne, and teurgoule and caramel from Isigny.
Normandy is also a land of cheeses. These include the world-famous Camembert. Camembert de Normandie is a soft cheese with a bloomy rind. Its production is concentrated in just a few communes in Normandy, but its name comes from Camembert, in the Orne department. There’s also Livarot, Neufchâtel, Pont-l’Évêque and more. We love them so much that we’ve dedicated an article to our favorite Normandy cheeses.
Regional beverages include cider, perry, pommeau and the famous Calvados.
Reason 9 – For historic villas
Anglo-Norman villas and manor houses reign over Deauville. In 2005, the city created a heritage protection zone, listing 555 listed and protected buildings. The city is rich in architectural gems. These extraordinary villas include the Second Empire-style Villa Le Cercle; the chalet-like Villa Camélia; and the Villa Cassita. Why not take a guided tour of the city to find out more? See prices, photos and availability.
Villa Strassburger is undoubtedly the most iconic. We really appreciated this haven of peace surrounded by apple trees, symbolizing the city’s infatuation with therural architecture of the Normandy region. The house is listed as a historic monument for its half-timbered facades and roof. It was built in 1907 on a property once owned by Gustave Flaubert. Find out more here.
Reason 10 – For the authentic port experience
At the mouth of the Touques, with its 2 belvederes striped like a sailboat, the Port of Deauville floats between 2 towns. On the one hand, there’s old-fashioned, picturesque Trouville, with its hillside lanes, old casino and marine cures. On the other, elegant Deauville, with its boards, multicolored parasols and big white casino. The port is a link between these two very different environments.
Two universes for two very different experiences of places. On one side, the fishing port, with the arrival of fish and a visit to the bustling Halle aux Poissons. On the other, a calmer, resort-like atmosphere, with a long, recently-developed promenade on the La Touques peninsula. That’s the one we followed.
DISCOVER Deauville
- Best things to do in Deauville
- Where to stay in Deauville: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Deauville: our best restaurants (coming soon)
- How to spend a weekend in Deauville(coming soon)
- Les Planches de Deauville
- Deauville beach (coming soon)
- Visiting Deauville in winter
- Village of Beaumont-en-Auge
- Honfleur or Deauville or Cabourg: where to go?
Reason 11 – For a night at the casino
Set in magnificent surroundings, the Deauville casino is a must-see on the Normandy coast. We loved its imposing, elegant facade and the large terrace under the central porch with its sea view. Inside, the monumental double-flight staircase, painted frescoes and glittering chandeliers were awe-inspiring.
Here you’ll find everything you need to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the gaming world: slot machines, gaming tables, bars and restaurants. And if, like us, this frenzy doesn’t tempt you, you can enjoy a show in the establishment’s small Italian-style theater, or sing a song at Club 13’s karaoke bar. Find out more here.
Reason 12 – For a luxurious weekend
A seaside resort of elegance, Deauville is the ideal destination for a weekend of pampering. We recommend you check intoHôtel Le Normandy. After all, that’s where the stars come down! From here, you can easily get to the racecourse to watch the horses race or spend the evening at the nearby casino.
After a morning at the spa, you’ll be in top form as you stroll through the city’s clean streets and luxury brand boutiques. Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren… all are present around the Place Yves Saint Laurent, just behind the hotel. To complete this chic itinerary, we invite you to take a gastronomic break in one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants.
Some disadvantages of a trip to Deauville
Tourists and traffic
Traffic levels vary according to season and event. Deauville attracts many visitors in July and August, and traffic can be very heavy. If you can, we advise you to avoid this highlight of the year, or take advantage of the services provided by the town (bus, free shuttle, electric bike). Find out more here.
Price
Deauville is generally regarded as a chic and expensive destination on the Normandy coast. Prices for accommodation, restaurants and activities naturally vary according to season and type of establishment. There’s a good range of options available to suit all budgets – see Deauville’s top-rated accommodations. See also our selection of the best places to stay in Deauville.
Weather
You’re in Normandy. While temperatures rise in fine weather and some winter days are particularly sunny, the weather is often uncertain. This can make outdoor activities difficult, unless you’re well equipped. In which case, winter in Deauville can be full of promise.
How to get to Deauville
To get to Deauville, you have 3 options:
- By train: Trouville-Deauville station is at the head of the network, linking Lisieux and Paris Saint-Lazare stations daily all year round (just over 2 hours 20 minutes). Find out more here.
- By car: Deauville is 2 hours from Paris and at the crossroads of 2 freeways and national roads linking the major towns of Normandy and neighboring regions.
- By plane: Deauville also has its own airport. Find out more here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
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