This seaside resort in Normandy has been attracting Parisians since the 1800s. The wide sandy beach, fish market, and Belle Époque villas line its active waterfront.
Trouville-sur-Mer sits along the Normandy coast, where a 1200-meter sandy beach meets France's oldest seaside boardwalk from 1867. You'll find fishermen selling their morning catch at the neo-Norman fish market, while 19th-century villas like Villa Montebello line the seafront. The town attracted artists and writers throughout history - Claude Monet painted its harbor scenes, and Marcel Proust wrote in the Hôtel des Roches Noires, now a historical monument.
The Beach and Les Planches
The central beach extends for over a kilometer, with the wooden boardwalk Les Planches running alongside it. Children can play in a dedicated zone with climbing frames and slides, and from April to October, they can take donkey rides along the beach. You'll find tennis courts next to the beach, and wooden benches line Les Planches where you can rest and watch the Channel tides.
Fishing Port and Market Life
Each morning, local fishermen bring their catches of mackerel, sole, and shellfish to the port. You can buy fresh seafood directly from fishmongers at La Poissonnerie, the daily fish market housed in a 1937 neo-Norman building. Family-run seafood restaurants line the streets around Rue des Bains. The town market opens Wednesday and Sunday mornings, where local vendors sell produce and regional products.
Second Empire Architecture
The 1860s seafront buildings include the white-faced Hôtel des Roches Noires with its mansard roof. Villa Montebello, dating from 1865, contains the city museum where you can learn about the area's maritime history and see works by local artists. Climb the 100 steps of the Serpent Staircase for views across the red-tiled roofs to the Channel.
Swimming and Activities
You can swim year-round at the Complexe Nautique, which maintains its indoor pool at 28°C. The outdoor pool opens from May to August. Several bike rental shops along the quayside make it easy to explore the coastline. A foot ferry connects to Deauville during high tide, running daily from March to September and on weekends in winter.
Getting to Trouville
Drive from Paris to Trouville-sur-Mer in about two hours via the A13-A132 highway. Trains run regularly from Paris Saint-Lazare to Deauville-Trouville station, also taking approximately two hours. During peak season, buses connect the station to the town center and beach area every 30 minutes.
