This elegant coastal resort in Normandy draws Parisian society with its glamorous casinos, prestigious horse races, and luxury boutiques along its wide sandy beach.
Located two hours from Paris, Deauville became a favorite weekend escape for Parisians in the 1860s. You can stroll along the wooden boardwalk past beach cabins named after Hollywood stars, watch thoroughbreds race at the Deauville-La-Touques track, or try your luck at the 1912 Casino Barrière. The town's streets are lined with Anglo-Norman mansions, while its calendar includes the American Film Festival and year-round cultural events.
Walking the Famous Boardwalk
The Promenade des Planches runs for 2,000 feet along Deauville's golden sand beach. Built from red ironwood in 1923, the boardwalk features beach cabins displaying names of American actors and directors who have attended the American Film Festival since 1975. In summer, you'll see more than 450 striped parasols dotting the beach, a sight captured on countless postcards.
Horse Racing Culture
Since 1864, the Deauville-La-Touques Racecourse has hosted approximately 40 racing days each year during summer and winter seasons. International trainers and jockeys compete here regularly, drawn by three major races: Le Maurice de Gheest, Le Jacques le Marois, and Le Morny. The surrounding Normandy countryside contains France's main horse breeding area, where stud farms produce champion thoroughbreds.
Casino and Shopping District
You'll find the Casino Barrière between the historic Hôtel Normandy and Hôtel Royal. The streets around it - Rue Désiré Le Hoc, Rue Eugène Colas, and Rue du Casino - are lined with luxury boutiques and designer stores frequented by Parisian weekenders. The Belle Époque buildings now house contemporary fashion brands.
Cultural Events and Festivals
Each September, the Deauville American Film Festival brings premiere screenings and Hollywood stars to town. Les Franciscaines, a multimedia cultural center, hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year. The annual Planches Contact Photography Festival adds contemporary art to the town's calendar.
Local Markets and Dining
At the covered Deauville Market, regional producers sell Norman cheeses, fresh seafood, and local produce. The restaurants specialize in coastal dishes, including sea snails, oysters, grey shrimp, and lobster from nearby Brittany. Both Deauville and neighboring Trouville maintain active fishing ports, supplying fresh catches to their market halls and restaurants.
Historical Background
Emperor Napoleon III's half-brother, the Duc de Morny, initiated Deauville's development from marshland in the 1860s. The town's buildings combine Norman half-timbering with English bay windows and castle-style turrets. Villa Strassburger, built in 1907, is a prime example of this architectural style and contains hidden passages from World War II.
