A popular seaside resort for locals and tourists alike, Deauville oozes style. Hosting glamorous events such as horse races and polo matches and the prestigious annual Deauville American Film Festival, Deauville also boasts two world-class golf courses, a thalassotherapy spa, and high-end hotels, boutiques and restaurants, not to mention its magnificent beach and famous boardwalk.
In Deauville and nearby
Don’t miss
01
Les Franciscaines
As its name suggests, this beautiful building was once home to the Franciscan order. It was sold to Deauville in 2012 and has since been entirely restored to house a museum, auditorium and media library, arranged across five zones, including one for children, all thematically linked to Deauville and its history. The museum will also exhibit works by André Hambourg, who donated over 500 paintings to the town, and other contemporary pieces.
02
Beach, boardwalk and beach huts
Deauville boasts 2km of sandy beach complete with 450 colourful parasols, 22 beach-front shops and bars, a seawater Olympic swimming pool, riding school and tennis club, making it a perfect place for day-trippers, holiday-makers and sport lovers of all ages, all year round. Deauville’s famous wooden boardwalk (Les Planches) dates back to 1923, stretches the entirety of the beach and features 450 Art Deco beach huts adorned with the names or the many actors and directors to have frequented the Deauville American Film Festival over the years. Don’t miss the stunning Pompeian bathing area behind the beach huts, with its fountains, mosaics, pillars and pools. Here, you can hire one of Deauville’s legendary parasols or relax on deckchairs and in beach huts.
03
Hippodrome de Deauville – La Touques
The older of Deauville’s two famous racecourses, Deauville-la-Touques was built in 1864 near the centre of town, and stages races throughout the year. Three playing fields in the centre of the racecourse also regularly welcome some of the best polo players in the world.
04
The Villa Strassburger
This remarkable house, which was classed a national historic monument in 1975, was built in 1907 by Baron Henri de Rothschild and purchased by the American millionaire Ralph-Beaver Strassburger in 1924. Its architecture is typical of a late 19th century Belle Epoque villa in the surrounding Pays d’Auge area, its ground floor built with a mix of chequered bricks, its upper floor half-timbered. Inside, original furniture, décor and paintings give a fascinating insight into life during this time.
05
Belvédères de la Presqu’île
Just a stone’s throw from the station, you can enjoy a 360° view of the port of Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer. Take the stairs or the lift.
As well as…
- The casino: This Belle Epoque casino, among the leading establishments of its kind in Europe, stands on the site of the first casino, opened in 1864. Its lights have illuminated the sea front since 1912, and are a reminder of the splendour of this time. One particular highlight is the casino’s proscenium theatre built in 1910, whose horseshoe shape and Toile de Jouy decorations were inspired by the Petit Trianon theatre in Versailles.
- Hôtel Barrière le Normandy Deauville: Claude Lelouche filmed his legendary film ‘Un homme et une femme’ in this famous 5-star hotel, a stone’s throw from Les Planches and the beach. The hotel offers exceptional rooms and suites.
- Le Trait d’Union: At high tide, the Trouville-Deauville shuttle boat links the two banks of the Touques. It has been doing so since the end of the 19th century.
- Centre International de Deauville: Opened in 1992, this state-of-the-art seafront complex hosts major events and conferences, including screenings and awards ceremonies for the Deauville American Film Festival. Quite the technological feat, the whole complex is buried several metres underground to preserve the surrounding seaside environment.
- Elie de Brignac horse auction house: Although also used as a theatre, this covered amphitheatre is run by major thoroughbred horse auctioneers Arqana and hosts around ten sales throughout the year in two race disciplines (flat and trotting), including the prestigious August Yearling Sale dedicated to English thoroughbreds, which attracts professionals from all over the world.
A different way to discover Deauville
Our selection of Normandy Experiences
Normandy Experiences are local gems that add meaning to your trip. You’ll meet Normandy people who are truly passionate about what they do.
Learn harness racing on Deauville Beach
Deauville Beach
Learn to Play Polo in Deauville
Deauville
Treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal
There are 2 Michelin-starred restaurants in Deauville:
- L’Essentiel: Mi-Ra and Charles Thuillant combine traditional cuisine with Asian flavours. Foie gras and miso, Wagyu flank steak and samsang, turron and pistachio ice-cream: the Franco-Korean couple outdo themselves to the delight of lovers of escapism.
- Maximin Hellio: 1 star in the Michelin Guide, 3 toques in the Gault & Millau Guide: Chef Maximin Hellio has won over gourmets in search of excellence. In a contemporary setting, you can admire the teams at work in the kitchen. The menu is based on fresh seasonal produce. A gourmet restaurant where passion and creativity unite.
Things to see and do near Deauville
- The Paléospace: Take a trip back to the Jurassic era, 160 million years ago. For science lovers, but not only. The museum has a permanent exhibition area of 300 m² dedicated to the interpretation of three sites in Villers-sur-Mer: the Vaches Noires cliffs, the Blonville-Villers marsh and the Greenwich meridian.
- Calouste Gulbenkian park: For a green break, explore this exceptional 33-hectare park in Benerville-sur-Mer. Open in summer, it features collections of rare trees, a rose garden and an orchard with a variety of apple and pear trees.
- Mont-Canisy Batteries: Overlooking the Côte Fleurie, this site is steeped in history. Transformed several times into a coastal artillery position, Mont-Canisy was part of the Atlantic Wall during the Second World War. Bunkers, casemates, entrenchments and fortifications bear witness to this past. Today, Mont-Canisy is also a nature reserve with almost 200 species of plants.
- The quartier des arts in Touques: It’s a real artistic hub, with 4 ceramic studios and 2 galleries set up around Place Saint-Pierre, creating a creative universe.
Useful information for your stay
How do I get to Deauville?
- The train takes you directly from Paris to Trouville-Deauville station in about 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Deauville is also accessible by bus via line 111 of the Nomad network.
When is the best time of year to visit Deauville?
Deauville can be enjoyed all year round, even in winter. For example, you can enjoy Les Planches and the beautiful sunsets in a quieter setting. The town also offers a rich cultural and sporting calendar throughout the year. On sunny days, when it’s busy, we suggest taking an early morning stroll around the town and going for a walk in the surrounding area.
Deauville by bike
There are several cycle routes to discover the town and its surroundings:
- The Deauville <> Saint-Arnoult greenway (3.8km) runs alongside the racecourse and the banks of the Touques.
- Deauville to Bénerville-sur-Mer (8.9km): from the Presqu’île de la Touques district, through the marinas and seaside villas.
- In the heart of the Marais de Blonville-Villers (5.5km).
- Deauville is also on the route of two major cycling routes: the Seine à Vélo and the Vélomaritime.
You’ll find several bike hire companies on site.
Market days in Deauville
The markets in Deauville are held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on the Place du Marché. In summer, the market is open every day from 8 am to 1 pm. There is also an organic market every Thursday morning on the square around the church of Saint Augustin.