Deauville is a picturesque town known for its international film festival, coastal walks and the Grand Casino. It is popular among movie stars and horse racing fans for its festivals and races. It is known as the Parisian Riviera because of its proximity to the capital and its pleasant atmosphere with a slower pace of life.
The region is fairly wet and has warm summers and cold winters. Occasional heat waves in summer attract wealthy Parisians and Londoners to these shores.
Hike along the green coastal hills. Enjoy stunning views of the sea as you follow trails into the Deauville countryside to the border with the neighboring towns of Trouville-sur-Mer and Bénerville-sur-Mer.
In summer, work on your tan at the beach and cool off in the cold waters of the English Channel. Walk along the charming marina and eat oysters and other seafood typical of the region. Take a romantic stroll among the boats at the port and capture photos of your favourites.
Equine culture is extremely popular in the high-society environs of the Deauville countryside. It is the country’s foremost region for breeding horses. Spend the afternoon watching a horse race at the Clairefontaine or Deauville la Touques tracks. Watch some of the world’s most prestigious horse racing tournaments take place here.
Attend the Deauville American Film Festival in early September. The annual competition welcomes some of the biggest budget movies from across the pond, as well as independent films. Winners include Being John Malkovich, Crash and Little Miss Sunshine. Spot American and European movie stars, who are drawn to Normandy for the festival.
The town is located in the small department of Calvados in the Basse-Normandie region in the northwest of France. It is the nearest seaside resort to Paris, at a distance of 125 miles (200 kilometres) northwest of the capital. The journey by car to Paris, which is also home to the nearest major airport, should take around 2 hours.
Mix with movie stars and horse breeders in Deauville, before meandering through the yachts of the marina.
