Deauville is popular for those coming on a weekend trip to laze by the beach (when it’s not winter), gamble, watch horse-racing or simply to soak in the tranquillity of this town.
In recent years, Deauville has increased the cultural events on offer year-round to go with its well-established pleasures of horse racing, polo, golf, art galleries and upmarket shopping.
Where is Deauville, Normandy, France
Deauville, in Normandy, is a commune in the Calvados département in northwestern France.
Deauville Weather
When it comes to Deauville’s weather, tourism somehow depends on it. The busiest months for tourism in Deauville are April, followed by August and June. Even the prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months.
If you’re not so used to cold places, the best months to visit Deauville are from June to September because the weather is warm and you can enjoy the beach life to the fullest.
The rainiest months are from December to January.
Best Hotels in Deauville, Normandy, France
Since Deauville has so much for you to explore, it is worth spending a couple of days here. Here are some hotels in Deauville ranked best in terms of comfort and cost:
#1 Novotel Deauville Plage
#2 Hôtel Barrière L’Hôtel du Golf
#3 Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville
#4 Hôtel de la Côte Fleurie
#5 Les Manoirs de Tourgéville
#6 Villa Gypsy Hôtel
#1 Novotel Deauville Plage
- $$
- Free WiFi
- Bar
- Swimming pool
Novotel Deauville Plage is only 300 metres from Deauville Beach. This hotel features a shared place with a restaurant, a bar and a shared lounge.
With plenty of family rooms, this hotel also features a cool terrace, a hammam (Turkish bath) and an indoor pool, perfect for family travellers. The front desk is also open 24 hours.
#2 Hôtel Barrière L’Hôtel du Golf
- $$
- Free parking
- Pets allowed
- Spa and wellness centre
Being one of the top hotels in Deauville, this hotel is situated on the Deauville Barriere golf course, only at a 5-minute drive distance from central Deauville and Les Planches Promenade.
Hôtel Barrière L’Hôtel du Golf features spacious rooms and suites, furnished with satellite TV and free WiFi access. Some of their superior rooms have beautiful sea views.
#3 Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville
- $$
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville is among the most highly-rated 4-star hotels in Deauville that offers room service, a concierge service and free WiFi.
This hotel has a garden and features a sunny terrace. All the guest rooms have air conditioners, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk.
You can also rent a bike or a car to explore the area.
#4 Hôtel de la Côte Fleurie
- $$
- Pets allowed
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
Hôtel de la Côte Fleurie is situated right in the heart of Deauville.
Offering individually-decorated rooms, some of them have a balcony with fresh and soothing views. Rooms are spacious and very well maintained.
This hotel serves breakfast with locally-made jams!
#5 Les Manoirs de Tourgéville
- $$
- Spa and wellness centre
- Free parking
- Family rooms
Les Manoirs de Tourgéville consists of the main building and 5 timber Norman manors. It features a large indoor swimming pool, tennis court, a cinema and a well-being space. It wouldn’t be wrong to count this one of the best hotels in Deauville; it has spacious rooms and apartments, all equipped with satellite TV and mini bars.
#6 Villa Gypsy Hôtel
- $$
- Free WiFi
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Villa Gypsy Hôtel is located on the Normandy coast in Deauville. The hotel offers breath-taking views of the sea and guestrooms are individually styled with a TV and free WiFi.
At Villa Gypsy Hôtel, you can relax in the hotel’s garden and at the beach, which is just 200 metres away from the hotel.
Iconic Things to do in Deauville, Normandy, France
Grab a bike and explore the town of Deauville!
Normandy is famous for the mind-blowing attractions it has. These are spread all across the region, and you cannot just visit them in one day or in one go! Plan wisely if you don’t want to miss any of them.
My suggestion, in this case, is to stay in each town for a couple of days, rent a car and explore!
For the purpose of this article, I will be focusing on the attractions in Deauville and its surrounds. Have a Deauville map handy, you’re in for a ride!
1. Deauville Beach
The Deauville Beach is a town beach with a broad expanse of white sand where you can spot many beach vendors and sun umbrellas during spring and summer. Deauville beach is perfect for sunbathing because of the temperature of the ocean.
Book a beach resort, rent a colourful umbrella with a lounge chair and just enjoy as much time as you get in the sun and enjoy the oh-so-perfect beach view.
Some of the closest beach resorts by Deauville Beach are:
- Villa: Deauville Cottage
- Apartment: Marina Deauville Appartement
- 5-star hotel: Hôtel Barrière Le Royal Deauville
After all, how else can you have experienced the best of Normandy if it doesn’t include this?
The more impressive part of the beach is the “Walk of Fame”, on a promenade by the beach. The names on this boardwalk are to commemorate famous American actors and directors who passed through town during the American Film Festival in Deauville.
2. Deauville Horse Racing
Deauville is popular for many things, one of which is the famous “horse racing” or Deauville racing. Deauville is twinned with Kildare in Ireland and Lexington, Kentucky, which gives some idea of the status of Deauville races – where the excellence of training horses from the best breeds are from.
This most beautiful flat racecourse in France attracts international trainers, horses and jockeys to its summer and winter seasons yearly. This is one race you cannot miss especially if you love sports or horses!
3. The Great Cultural Events
Hotel Normandy
Deauville is always hosting some festivities and they are all something not to be missed.
The more you see, the more you come to know about Normandy’s history, art and local life.
I will mention some festivals here that take place every year and if you happen to be there when they happen, don’t miss out!
Books & Music Festival – Happening usually in April or May, this is a festival where artists, writers, musicians play an important role in the art of revolt. putting the spotlight on literature and music of dissent, it is to this aesthetic and subjective fresco that the festival will echo.
Easter Festival – The Easter Festival is organized in Deauville in the month of April. It is truly a fascinating program that joins three generations of performers and groups where about one hundred young instrumentalists meet to create diverse combinations and play chamber music and modern music.
Summer exhibition – This exhibition that begins in July through September reveals the part of the collection of the Franciscans. The city will inaugurate at the Point de Vue an exhibition collecting the works of Bonnard, Dufy, Boudin and many other painters that belong to the famous collections, and completed by further works of the Franciscans.
4. Abbey of Jumièges
Another historic abbey that was found 35 kilometres from Le Bec-Hellouin in Jumièges, the Abbey of Jumièges used to be the most magnificent religious monument in Normandy. It was nearly destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War.
Later in the 13th century, the church was enhanced in astounding Gothic style, reflecting the grandeur of the abbey and its immense wealth.
5. Trouville-sur-Mer France
Trouville-sur-Mer France, also known as Trouville, is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France. Famous for its fresh seafood, Trouville-sur-Mer borders Deauville. This village of fishermen is a popular tourist attraction in Normandy.
While in Trouville, make sure to drop by these attractions:
The covered fish market – an elegant building dating back from 1935 and stands out on the quays beside the fishing harbour.
The beach and boardwalk – a classic boardwalk, so often portrays in paintings. This attraction dates back from 1867 and was the first to be created on the Normandy coast.
Musée Villa Montebello – This is a typical villa that was turned into Trouville’s fine arts museum after it was acquired by the town.
While you’re here, pick from one of the restaurants amongst the whole row of it along the marina and drop in to taste some of the freshest seafood on the Normandy coast!
View below shows Trouville, on the opposite side of Deauville.
6. Eglise Jeanne d’Arc
When thinking about the things to do in Normandy, ponder about the history of this place and buildings that you see.
This modern-looking church, Eglise Jeanne d’Arc, is situated on the site of Jeanne d’Arc’s burning. The 19-year-old girl was burned here at the stake for heresy in 1431.
Today, you can tour this contemporary church built in 1979 at Place du Vieux-Marche in Rouen. The architect, Louis Arretche, wanted the building’s design to resemble the shape of an overturned boat.
The Trouville-Deauville train station
So there’s a summary of my trip to Trouville-Deauville, France. I hope this Deauville travel guide is getting you to pack your bags and plan your next trip here already. Enjoy your trip to the fullest!
Au revoir, Trouville-Deuville!
Expenses: SNCF train from Rouen 65€ 2-way
Never been in Normandy but now i have more interest. Thank you for this amazing guide.