Deauville

Deauvillelocated on the Côte Fleurie and only two hours from Parisrepresents the quintessential weekend getaway. This elegant and refined city charms its visitors with a rich and varied cultural heritage. heritage architecture, a sandy beach, a prestigious casino, luxury hotels and its famous American film festival. For equestrian enthusiasts, Deauville is a veritable paradise, offering horse racing, equestrian auctions and a renowned international horse center.

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a cultural immersion or a sporting adventure, Deauville promises a memorable and diverse experience for an exceptional weekend.

Find out more about the town of Honfleur, read our detailed article here.

Discover Deauville: Between beach and heritage

Deauville, a town where charm and authenticity meet modernity, offers its visitors a rich and varied heritage. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a culture buff or a nature lover, Deauville's location will amaze you with its history and radiance.

Deauville's famous boards

Emblematic of the seaside resort, the boards of Deauvillebuilt in 1923, allow bathers to stroll along the beach without getting their shoes dirty. Stretching over 762 meters, they are flanked by 450 Art Deco-style cabins. The names of American actors and directors invited to the film festival since 1975 are displayed on these cabins, making the location even more iconic. The boards are perfect for capturing memorable photos, breathing in the sea air and admiring the ballet of horses, sailboats and colorful parasols.

Remarkable architecture: Belle Époque villas and hotels

Thanks to the initiative of the Duc de Morny, half-brother of Napoleon III, Deauville was transformed into an elegant, worldly resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The town is dotted with sumptuous villas and luxurious hotels in an eclectic style, blending Norman, English and Oriental influences. Architectural gems include the Normandy Barrière, the Royal Barrière, as well as the Strassburger, Breloque and Le Cercle villas.

The fish market and marina

The heart of Deauville beats to the rhythm of the sea. Its marina, home to over 1,000 boats, and fishing port offer an immersion in the town's maritime atmosphere. The fish market, open daily from 8:30am to 1pm except Mondays, is the ideal place to savor fresh, local seafood, such as oysters, mussels or grilled fish. The harbor is also the starting point for numerous water sports activities, including sailing, kayaking, paddling and jet-skiing.

Diving into Deauville culture

Deauville shines not only as a destination for leisure and relaxation, but also as a bastion of culture and creativity. It offers visitors a rich and varied cultural spectrum, designed to satisfy a wide range of preferences and interests. Whether you're a lover of cinema, music, literature, art or history, Deauville has something to feed your spirit and stimulate your curiosity.

The Franciscaines de Deauville cultural season

Inaugurated in May 2021, Les Franciscaines, Deauville's new cultural centertakes place in a former 19th-century convent, transformed into an innovative, multi-purpose space.

The center includes a museum, an auditorium, temporary exhibitions, mediation workshops, documentation areas and a café. The Franciscaines' rich and varied programming is based on themes dear to Deauville, such as cinema, horses, entertainment, photography, the art of living and youth.

Visitors can enjoy works by contemporary artists, permanent collections, concerts, lectures, shows, entertainment and events. Les Franciscaines is a crossroads for encounters, sharing and emotions, accessible to all.

American Film Festival

Since 1975, the Deauville American Film Festival has been one of the town's highlights, bringing together stars and film professionals every year. The festival aims to present the diversity and richness of American cinema to French audiences, through a selection of independent films and Hollywood blockbusters. It awards several prizes, including the Grand Prix, the Prix du Jury, the Prix du Public and the Prix de la Révélation.

The event is also an opportunity to pay tribute to leading figures in American cinema, and to offer previews, documentaries, short films and series. The festival is held every year in early September, in the prestigious setting of the Centre International de Deauville.

Art galleries and museums: between tradition and modernity

Deauville, a city of inspiration for many artists, painters, photographers, sculptors and writers, is home to an exceptional artistic and cultural heritage. Its art galleries and museums reflect this richness.

The Musée André Hambourg, dedicated to the official painter of the French Navy, famous for his seascapes and scenes of Trouville, invites discovery. The Musée Villa Montebello plunges visitors into the history of Trouville and the Côte Fleurie, through paintings, engravings, costumes and various objects.

The Galerie des Créateurs showcases temporary works by local and regional artists.

Must-see experiences for a memorable weekend

Deauville, with its many possibilities, promises an unforgettable stay. Whether you're looking for relaxation, gastronomy or outdoor activities, Deauville will meet all your expectations.

Find out how to make your weekend in Deauville exceptional.

Relaxation and well-being: thalassos and spas

Deauville, a prime destination for rejuvenation, is home to numerous thalassotherapy centers and spas. Treat yourself to revitalizing treatments based on seawater, seaweed, marine mud and essential oils.

Thalassotherapy, beneficial for blood circulation, the immune system, joint pain and sleep, is accompanied by massages, scrubs, wraps and facial and body treatments for absolute relaxation and beauty.

Renowned establishments include Thalasso Deauville Algotherm, Spa Diane Barrière and Spa Deep Nature.

Normandy gastronomy: where to eat?

Deauville, a paradise for gourmets, offers gastronomy Normandy, featuring local cheeses, cider, calvados, seafood and more. Savor specialties like tarte normande, camembert or canard à la rouennaise.

Explore a variety of original dishes and restaurants, from cosy bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Popular restaurants include 1912, Ciro's Barrière, Drakkar and Spinnaker.

Outdoor activities: golf, horseback riding and sailing

Deauville offers a wide range of outdoor activities to suit all tastes. Enjoy nature and the sea air through golf, horse riding or sailing.

Golfers will appreciate the courses offering splendid views of the sea and countryside. Horse-riding enthusiasts will be delighted by the many riding schools offering lessons and rides. Finally, sailing and water sports enthusiasts can indulge their passion on the Touques lake.

Conclusion

Deauville, with its undeniable charm, is the ideal destination for a dream weekend. Whether you're looking for charm, culture, relaxation, culinary delights or outdoor activities, Deauville has it all. This town has a soul, a rich history, a natural elegance and an unrivalled conviviality.

Deauville opens its doors to you, inviting you to discover, experience and fall under its spell. Don't wait any longer to book your stay in Deauville and let yourself be seduced by its many attractions. It's an experience you won't regret!

FAQ

Where to go in Deauville?

To discover Deauville, consider these two must-do activities: - Explore Les Planches de Deauville, a mythical boardwalk running along the beach, dotted with cabins bearing the names of movie celebrities. This iconic site offers magnificent views of the sea and the characteristic architecture of the Belle Époque. - Visit Villa Strassburger, built in 1907 for Baron Henri de Rothschild. Perched on the heights of Deauville, this sumptuous residence is surrounded by a 12-hectare park. Here you'll discover Norman architecture, period furniture and precious objets d'art.

Why did Deauville become famous?

Deauville's fame can be attributed to a number of factors. Initially, it was the Duc de Morny, half-brother of Napoleon III, who founded the seaside resort in 1860, building hotels, villas and a racecourse. From 1912 onwards, Deauville underwent remarkable tourist and cultural development, marked by the inauguration of the casino, luxurious hotels and Coco Chanel's first boutique. The town's international renown was consolidated by the cinema, notably with Claude Lelouch's film "Un homme et une femme" in 1966, and the hosting of the American Film Festival since 1975.

What sea does Deauville bathe in?

Deauville is located on the English Channel, part of the Atlantic Ocean. Its beaches, quieter than those on the Atlantic, offer cooler waters.

Why do Parisians go to Deauville?

Parisians flock to Deauville for its beaches, casino, golf courses, festivals and numerous cultural and leisure activities. Considered the "21st arrondissement" of Paris, Deauville's proximity and ease of access by train make it especially attractive to the capital's residents.