Les Planches de Deauville: Discover the timeless elegance of this seaside resort as you walk along its famous promenade! This must-do activity offers a captivating blend of glamour, charm and history. We’ll talk about its creation, its architecture and the star names you can discover.
In this article, we share our tips and photos to help you make the most of this unique experience.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Why walk Les Planches de Deauville?
Is it worth it?
Absolutely! Walking Les Planches de Deauville is an experience not to be missed. Les Planches de Deauville is one of the most emblematic symbols of Normandy, and offers much more than just a stroll. They represent a veritable journey through the history, glamour and timeless charm of this famous seaside resort.
We love the elegant aesthetic, the beach view, the colorful Art-Deco beach cabins and the star name hunt game.
Why is it famous?
Deauville is famous for many reasons, and here are the main ones:
- Glamour: Deauville has been associated with glamour and prestige for decades. The seaside resort has been a popular holiday destination for French and international high society, attracting celebrities, artists and personalities from all over the world.
- The American Film Festival: Since 1975, Deauville has hosted the annual American Film Festival, one of France’s most prestigious cinematic events. The stage becomes the red carpet, where stars walk the floor, spotlights shine and moviegoers gather to celebrate the best of American cinema.
- Picturesque architecture: The beach cabins are charming with their art-deco style and the occasional mosaic.
Advice: sea bathing establishment, Deauville, Normandy
Where is the promenade?
- In Deauville by the sea
- Deauville is at the heart of the Normandy coast
- Paris to Deauville = 2h30 drive
- Caen to Deauville = 50min drive
- Once in Deauville, you’ll find the boards on the main beach south of the port.
How to get there – map of Les Planches de Deauville
The promenade is 656m long, between the beach and the beach buildings (restaurants, cabins, bars…).
They can easily be reached on foot in 5 minutes from the town center.
Here’s a plan showing the boards along the sand.
Parking
There are several large parking lots around Deauville beach. They are not free.
They are clearly indicated. And there are also spaces along the boulevard which are also subject to a charge.
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.
Schedules, rates, best time
Access to the Les Planches de Deauville promenade is free.
The best time to enjoy it is at sunset, when you’re facing west and looking out over the beach. The colors of the cabins and wooden planks become even warmer.
Public pay toilets are available close to the promenade.
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
Sea baths: History and architecture
Let’s start with the history of sea bathing, because that’s where the Planches de Deauville originated.
In the 19th century, seaside resorts were popular destinations where people came not only to bathe, but also to enjoy the sea air by strolling along specially laid-out promenades. Deauville has quickly established itself as a prestigious place to spend the summer.
In 1921, a decision was taken to replace the old beach cabins and boardwalk with a sea bathing establishment. Architect Charles Adda was commissioned to design the project, which was completed in 1923 as an Art Deco complex.
The latter included 250 cabins:
- sober concrete architecture
- arranged around atriums,
- with colonnades and basins
- adorned with magnificent mosaics.
They formed a transition between the sand and nature and the buildings of the city.
The wooden boardwalk: structure
It was also Adda who designed the famous “Planks”, installed alongside the sea-view cabins. These walkways form a harmonious transition between the concrete and the surrounding sand.
It’s a long wooden deck, 7m wide.
It was originally 44m long.
Then 656m long.
In 2022, in preparation for the boards’ 100th anniversary, a 60m extension was added, bringing the total length to over 700m.
The assembly consists of 64 laths laid side by side (according to what we’ve read, but we’ll have to count them next time we go).
The boards are made from rot-resistant azobe wood, a hard, heavy, dense wood that stands up well to harsh conditions all year round. But they still need to be replaced regularly.
They have become an architectural signature of the city.
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Claude Lelouche, A Man and a Woman
In 1966, thanks to Claude Lelouche’s film Un Homme et Une Femme, the Planches de Deauville became a worldwide landmark. The two main characters are in love.
Deauville American Film Festival
The American Film Festival began in Deauville in 1975. It was founded by Lionel Chouchan and André Halimi, with financial backing from the Barrière group and the town of Deauville.
Originally, they were just film presentations. Prize-giving did not begin until 1987, and became a competition in 1990.
It celebrates all kinds of American films, from independent cinema to Hollywood blockbusters. And they were mainly used to launch the latter in France.
The prizes now being awarded are:
- The Grand Prix (supreme award)
- Jury Prize
- Prix de la critique
- Prix du Public de la Ville de Deauville
- Revelation Award
- …
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?
The hunt for movie star names
This promenade is punctuated by a succession of colorful cabin doors, separated by small openwork concrete lices. Here you’ll find the names of various film stars: directors and actors.
Why star names on the Deauville stage
The American Film Festival began in Deauville in 1975. And, as with the stars) Hollywood, the decision was taken in 1990 to immortalize the award-winning American stars by affixing their names to the concrete lices.
The paintings (now stencilled) are completed at the end of August and revealed in the presence of the stars during the festival in September. But at 5 names a year, there won’t be enough room…
List of names
One of the most fun things to do in Deauville is to go name-hunting.
You probably have your own favorite actors and directors, and it’s fun to try and find them.
Among other things, we found:
- Clint Eastwood
- Sean Connery
- Harrson Fort
- Cate Blanchett
- Morgan Freeman
- Al Pacino
- Robin Williams
- Susan Sarandon
- Salma Hayek
- Roger Moore
- Gene Kelly
- Tom Hanks
There is no official list of names and their order. One day, we may take the time to create it for you. But it’s more fun for you to look.
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Les Planches restaurants
You can also relax along the boards.
Between the cabins, you’ll find bars and restaurants.
The most famous is Restaurnt Le Ciro’s.
And for a more relaxed atmosphere, there’s the Bar du Solei and the Bar de la Mer.
You may also be intrigued by the building known as ‘Le Point de Vue’, a reception and exhibition area.
We haven’t had a chance to climb it yet, but it must be really nice!
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…
