During your stay in Normandy, you can’t miss out on the ‘Planches de Deauville’. As the sun is setting, walk along this iconic promenade between the seafront and the prestigious local hotels. Admire the view as twilight spreads its golden rays over the sea, breathe in the fresh Normandy air and then head to Hotel Barrière’s Le Normandy just a few steps away to enjoy tea in a timeless setting.

To delve into Normandy’s history, book a private guided tour of the D-Day landing beaches, about an hour and a half’s drive west of Deauville. On 6 June 1944, American troops stormed Utah and Omaha, British forces landed on Gold and Sword, and Canadians on Juno. End your day at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach: entry is free, but check ahead, as advance registration is due to be introduced from 2027. An afternoon that’s both informative and deeply moving.

Here’s an experience out of the ordinary for horse lovers: a sulky ride on Deauville beach. At low tide, take your seat in a two-seater sulky behind a professional driver and trot at full speed across the sand, eyes fixed on the horizon. No riding experience needed.

In a nutshell
Sporty / Beach

Whether you’re a keen equestrian or simply after the best things to do in Deauville, a day at the Deauville-La Touques racecourse is always a good idea. The highlight is August, when the Deauville meeting brings sixteen race days and the prestigious Prix Jacques Le Marois in mid-month, but racing carries on in autumn and winter too. Take your seat in the stands, watch the horses thunder past, then book the guided behind-the-scenes tour (from €8) to discover the stables, the parade ring and the weighing room. Entry starts at €5 and is free for under-12s.

Still on the theme of horses, share a unique ride with friends or family through the picturesque Normandy countryside. Accompanied by an experienced guide from a local riding centre, canter along Deauville beach (from May to September, horses are allowed on the sand before 10am or after 7pm) or follow the green lanes of the Pays d’Auge to discover Normandy in a new light.

For a weekend in the heart of the action, opt for the centre of Deauville. Choose from among our beautiful villas in Normandy and stay a stone’s throw away from the historic hotels, chic boutiques and best fine-dining options.

On the hunt for a rural escape two hours from Paris? Head to Saint-Etienne-la-Thillaye, a peaceful Pays d’Auge village barely 15 minutes’ drive from Deauville. Surrounded by green fields and rolling countryside, it’s the ideal place for a calm, serene retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Step back in time in Bonneville-sur-Touques, a village set in the green Touques valley just outside Deauville. Above it stand the ruins of a castle once held by William the Conqueror, a listed historic monument and a reminder of Normandy’s medieval past.

A few minutes up the coast from Trouville towards Honfleur, the former fishing village of Villerville, where Jean Gabin and Jean-Paul Belmondo filmed Un singe en hiver, has kept all its seaside charm. Right by the sea, it’s the perfect base for unplugged family holidays.

In spring, bright colours and blooming gardens are peppered throughout Normandy, offering an idyllic backdrop for relaxing strolls in the soft sea breeze. It’s also festival season: classical music lovers shouldn’t miss the Festival de Pâques, held each year from mid-April to early May (from 18 April to 2 May in 2026).

Head to Deauville and Trouville in summer to lounge under the Normandy sun. Between relaxing on the beach, bathing in the refreshing sea and dining on the terrace, summer is the perfect season for family holidays in Normandy. August is Deauville at its most glamorous: a month of racing at the Deauville-La Touques racecourse (from 2 to 30 August in 2026), the Arqana yearling sales and, in the second half of the month, the polo of the Coupe d’Or.

In autumn, as the temperatures drop and the amber leaves start to fall, Deauville and Trouville shine. Recharge your batteries walking by the sea, or plan a cultural escape around the Deauville American Film Festival, held every year in early September (the 2026 edition ran from 4 to 13 September). From mid-October to early January, the Planches Contact photography festival takes over Les Franciscaines and the beach.

Deauville is paradise for horse lovers. Local riding centres offer lessons and rides for every level, so children and teens can hop into the saddle and explore Deauville’s landscapes at a walk, trot or gallop. In summer, beach rides take place before 10am or after 7pm, when horses are allowed on the sand.

Wondering what to do in Normandy as a family? Follow the Route du Cidre into the Pays d’Auge, a short drive from Deauville and Trouville. Family-run estates open their orchards, presses and cellars to visitors of all ages: discover how apples become cider, pommeau and calvados, then end with a tasting (apple juice for the little ones).

Wondering how to entertain your little ones on a rainy day in Deauville or Trouville? Let our luxury concierge organise a painting or music class from the comfort of your luxury villa in Normandy and spark your family’s creativity. Trust in us to select the region’s best professionals and transform your living room into an artists’ studio.

Les Planches is without a doubt one of the most emblematic spots in Deauville, even in all of Normandy! Much more than a simple seaside promenade, this long wooden stretch is lined with pretty coloured cabins each named after an American actor or director. More than just a charming village, Deauville welcomes the American Film Festival each year! At sunset, watching from Les Planches is a sight that is not to be missed. Take a seat at a table at one of the nearby charming cafés and admire the breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful beaches in Normandy. 

A true masterpiece of Anglo-Norman architecture, Hôtel Barrière Le Royal is an emblem of Deauville elegance. Dine at Côté Royal, its elegant brasserie beneath crystal chandeliers, where chef Éric Provost pays tribute to Normandy produce. Then slip into L’Étrier, the hotel’s intimate bar, for a cocktail to the sound of the piano. Note that the hotel closes in the depths of winter, usually from early January to late March. For a starred dinner, see our favourite gastronomic restaurants in Deauville.

Founded in 1927 opposite Trouville’s fish market, the brasserie Les Vapeurs is a culinary institution in Trouville. On the menu, freshly caught fish and generous seafood dishes, served in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere: the best of Normandy’s seaside traditions, at 160 Boulevard Fernand Moureaux.

This chic bistro on the marina is loved by Parisians and locals alike for its Normandy produce, from the sea and the land, and its signature truffle dishes. Book a table on the heated terrace and savour the view over Deauville’s harbour.

Le Comptoir et la Table
1 Quai de la Marine, 14800 Deauville · Open every day

Just off Trouville’s quays, on lively Rue des Bains, Les Mouettes is a true Trouville bistro. Expect generous, tide-inspired classics such as whelks pan-fried with camembert, fish soup or skate in butter, at prices that keep regulars coming back.

In the historic heart of Deauville, a stone’s throw from Place Morny, Bouillon Morny revives the Parisian bouillon tradition: French classics such as onion soup, steak au poivre and tarte Tatin at gentle prices, in a warm, rustic setting.

Facing Trouville’s harbour and fish market, Marinette is the seafood brasserie we love for a long lunch: oysters, generous seafood platters, moules-frites or sole meunière, on a heated terrace open every day of the week.

On Rue Gambetta, in the centre of Deauville, chef Maximin Hellio’s Michelin-starred restaurant is the address for a special evening. His tasting menus turn Normandy produce into refined, seasonal cooking.

Right on Les Planches, with the beach parasols as a backdrop, Ciro’s has been a Deauville institution for decades. Come for fish and shellfish with a view of the Channel, or stop at its oyster cart during your walk along the boardwalk.

Fine-dining at home 

Bespoke well-being session

Ride around in a vintage car