Weekend in Normandy

The 33rd American Film Festival will be held in Deauville this September and it’s a good opportunity to discover this town on the coast of Normandy, immortalised in Claude Lelouch’s film, “A Man and a Woman,” winner of the 1966 Cannes Golden Palm. The stars, the boardwalk, the 19th century family villas… Deauville isn’t shy about its luxurious image while its sister city, the elegant seaside resort of Trouville too is well worth a visit.

Deauville, the glamorous

Deauville was the creation of the Duc de Morny, half-brother of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte. He built it on marsh lands in 1859. Since that time, horse racing, the world polo championship, sailing regattas, golf and tennis tournaments, galas, the international yearling sale and the American Film Festival have made Deauville a glamorous gathering place. If you like to see and be seen, this is the place for you.

The changing rooms on the boardwalk named after Hollywood stars

With a little luck, you might even run into some stars. After all, Coco Chanel, Elizabeth Taylor and Clint Eastwood are just a few of the celebrities who have favoured the town. The most famous walkway in town is the boardwalk. Made of planks of tropical wood, it stretches along the main beach, enabling you to enjoy the sea breeze without getting sand in your shoes! A section of the boardwalk is lined with cabines de bain – changing rooms –, each with the name of an American actor stencilled on it in honour of the American Film Festival, famous around the world. On the beach, you can rent colourful tents and parasols.

The other glamour spot in Deauville is the casino (2 r. Edmond-Blanc). The 325 slot machines are popular, but you can also play roulette or black-jack (also known as “21”). It is a stylish place and requires that you dress well. Keep an eye on your wallet: gambling fever is contagious!

Deauville is also home to the renowned Hippodrome de Deauville - La Touques (45 av. Hocquart-de-Turtot). The race track welcomes the world’s greatest horses for a series of prestigious Grand Prix races. The track opens at 2 p.m. (check the schedule for race days). Guided tours are organised on Sunday afternoons, on race days.

And if you are the dreamy type, saunter by the Hôtel Normandy, rue Jean-Mermoz. This luxury hotel is in a manor facing the ocean, near the casino and the shopping area where you can browse in the elegant boutiques of Hermès, Vuitton, Lancel, etc., or study the works for sale in the art galleries. Rolls-Royces and Jaguars are parked out front, perhaps waiting for a celebrity such as Johnny Halliday, Catherine Deneuve or Jean Reno…

Trouville: a relaxed seaside resort

Trouville, the serene

Trouville and Deauville are neighbours, separated only by the River Touques. Yet the two towns are quite different. Trouville, with its long sandy beach, still feels like an old-fashioned seaside resort. In the 19th century, painters Eugène Boudin and Gustave Courbet set their easels up on the beach or the jetty.

This side of the Touques, glamour gives way to a more discreet charm, bathed in an atmosphere of peaceful holiday pleasures.The Trouville beach is open to riders all day. The club also offers trips in the woods and along the cliffs, where there is a great view of Deauville, Trouville and Le Havre. Centre équestre de Trouville-Villerville – Chemin des Terrois - 14113 Villerville.