Thinking of a weekend in Deauville in winter? It’s a good idea: the atmosphere and the beach offer a completely different experience from that of summer, an enchanting and elegant seaside getaway.
Here are our tips for visiting Deauville in winter: activities, weather, temperatures…
And a few tips for spending Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Deauville.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Visiting Deauville in winter: is it worth it? Our review
Our review
Yes, we enjoy Deauville even more in winter than in summer. We love the winter lights painted by numerous artists, warming up in a tea room, and strolling along the vast beach almost alone. It’s a completely different atmosphere!
The serene, tranquil stretches of sand invite you to take relaxing walks by the sea. You can take the time to feel the freshness of the sea air, a welcome moment of serenity in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Deauville, the pearl of France’s Normandy coast, is famous for its summer elegance. However, winter transforms this seaside resort into an equally captivating destination.
Deauville’s refinement doesn’t fade with the summer sun. In winter, the city adorns itself in understated elegance. Buildings with remarkable architecture are highlighted by illuminations. The shopping streets offer a unique shopping experience, with designer boutiques and high-end goods, perfect for finding exceptional Christmas gifts.
Advantages of visiting in winter
- The immensity of the beach is more visible with no one on it.
- It’s easier to park
- Some parking lots are free in winter
- Apart from Christmas, New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day, hotels are less expensive
- The boards are less crowded and you can really admire the names and cabins.
- Almost everything remains open
- There’s always horse racing (although not as much as in summer).
Disadvantages
- It may rain
- It’s colder
- The sea water is very cold
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
Weather, temperatures and conditions
In winter, the average temperature in Deauville is around 4 to 5°C.
You’ll need to cover up with a good coat.
It rains a little more than in summer, but not all the time. You can have beautiful sunny days.
As it’s winter, the days are shorter. This allows you to admire the sunset before dinner.
It can snow, but as it’s by the sea, the snow never lasts long.
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Things to do in Deauville in winter
In winter, activities are pretty much the same as in summer, apart from swimming and sunbathing.
You can:
- Take a stroll along Les Planches de Deauville and find the names of your favorite stars.
- Take a walk on the beach, especially at sunset – with its endless horizon, soothing waves and refreshing sea breeze, Deauville beach offers an idyllic setting in which to relax.
- Spend an evening at the Casino – beyond the games of chance that can entertain us for an evening, the casino building is emblematic.
- Admire the city’s architecture and the Villa Strassburger – immerse yourself in the architecture and charm of the Belle Époque. In the 19th century, the town became a popular holiday resort for the aristocracy and European high society.
- See the Christmas lights all around downtown
- Tea at the salon Dupont Avec Un Thé – one of our favorite places in Deauville
- Explore nearby Trouville and the banks of La Touques
- Visit the village of Beaumont-en-Auge, a 15-minute drive away – a typical Pays d’Auge village with half-timbered houses, a peaceful atmosphere and a well-preserved heritage.
- Follow in the footsteps of artists – many artists have been inspired by Deauville, and you’ll see signs all over town with examples of paintings or photographs and explanations.
- Visit Les Franciscaines – For a change from the beach and glamorous architecture, we recommend a stop at the Les Franciscaines museum/library.
- Honfleur is a 30-minute drive away – one of our favorite destinations in Normandy for its picturesque charm, lively port and rich historical heritage.
- Go horseback riding
- See a horse race
- …
Find out more in our article on the best things to do in Deauville.
What you can’t do in winter in Deauville
- swimming without wetsuits (although some people do it anyway)
- sunbathing on the beach
- see all beach umbrellas
How to get to Deauville
The easiest way to get to Deauville is by car.
But if you’re coming from Caen or Paris, you can also get there by train. The station is very charming and pleasant.
See available timetables and book your train and coach tickets now.
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.
Christmas in Deauville
Before Christmas, Deauville is decked out in lights, and we recommend an evening stroll through the town to admire the large buildings all lit up. The casino is particularly interesting at this time of year, with all the little lights along its walls.
The streets of Deauville are full of elegant boutiques, ideal for Christmas shopping. You can find unique gifts, designer clothes and much more.
The Christmas market normally takes place on a weekend in the middle of the month.
New Year’s Eve in Deauville
Many restaurants prepare special New Year’s Eve menus to delight your taste buds.
You’ll also find Christmas entertainment organized in Deauville and Trouville during the month of December. This changes every year, so check the town hall websites.
You can also take part in the January 1st bath. In Normandy, it’s a tradition in many towns. This should wake you up if you’ve been drinking too much the night before! But be sure to take something to warm you up afterwards.
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?
