Last Updated on 2nd August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer are two of the prettiest towns in Normandy. Inhabited since time immemorial, situated side by side, and boasting plenty of fun and interesting activities for all the family, even if you’re short on time you’re guaranteed to enjoy a simple day trip from Paris to Deauville. Here’s your complete guide on how to visit, as well as travel tips and things to know before you go!
Editor’s note: Before you go, you should know that while Trouville-sur-Mer and Deauville border one another across the Côte Fleurie, they are two completely separate towns though they can be visited at the same time!
Trouville-sur-Mer is often shortened to just ‘Trouville’ and is the older of the two. And while both towns admittedly have their fair share of hotels, beaches, and boardwalks, while Trouville is laid back and relaxed, Deauville offers all the charm and luxury of a glittering seaside resort.
The only other town in Normandy that bears a striking resemblance to either of these towns is that of Mers-les-Bains on the North coast of Normandy.
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Paris to Deauville & Trouville-sur-Mer: A seaside escape from the city
If you’re looking to enjoy some picture-perfect beaches and a resort vibe, then you need to look no further than the Normandy town of Deauville. Located seaside and filled with timber-framed houses, the town together with its adjacent neighbour (Trouville-sur-Mer- one of the most beautiful towns in Normandy) are often jokingly referred to as ‘the 21st arrondissement of Paris’ thanks to their incredible popularity among Parisians.
As you can therefore imagine, taking a day trip (or weekend break) among the cities couldn’t be easier. While you can always drive between the two cities in a couple of hours along the highway A13, taking the train will mean that you won’t have to deal with traffic!
Simply hop on a train from the Saint Lazare train station to Trouville-Deauville station and you’ll be at the seaside resort towns relaxing on the beach or strolling the pretty streets in under two and a half hours.
Though, of course, you can simply explore over the course of a day, a long weekend in Normandy gives you much greater scope and time to explore the towns and surrounding region. For a luxurious stay in town, you simply need to book yourself into the five-star Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville. Otherwise, check here for the best-priced hotels in Deauville.
Finally, if you’re in search of a guided excursion from Paris, then you can always book a tour like this one. Including a tour to the pretty as a postcard fishing town of Honfleur, the trip also includes visits to Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer. Taking place over the course of a day from Paris, book this tour and you won’t have to worry about catching trains or transfers!
How to spend one day in Deauville & Trouville-sur-Mer
Start your day the right way by heading to the beach. A sandy expanse dotted with striped parasols and the sound of crashing waves, the beach at Deauville is easily one of the best in France. Deauville is the closest beach to Paris and as such, can get more than a little busy during the summer months.
After a paddle in the sea, a tasty ice cream, and a stroll along the timber-framed houses that are so synonymous with the town, head to one of the many restaurants that Deauville has to offer. In fact, there are over 40 eateries, bistros, and restaurants, serving a variety of local dishes at varying price points.
Thanks to its previous status as a fishing town, the real local speciality is seafood, though plenty of other local delights are to be found, including the delicious cider that Normandy is so famous for!
Some personal recommendations for places to eat include the luxurious L’Essentiel (29 Rue Mirabeau, 14800 Deauville, France) and Les Affiches (6 Rue de Paris, 14360 Trouville-sur-Mer, France) which is more reasonably priced and offers mouthwatering dishes such as cider seafood and a variety of cheese dishes.
Post lunch, you can rent one of the ‘rosalie‘ bicycles in Trouville-sur-Mer. This four-seater covered cycling vehicle will allow you to discover much more of the towns that if you were to simply head out on foot, though you’ll have to convince your friends that they’re fun to ride!
Visit in the off-season (i.e. any time of the year that’s not summer) and you’ll soon discover that there are a plethora of things to do in Trouville-sur-Mer and Deauville that don’t involve the beach. After all, since 1975, Deauville has held the Deauville American Film Festival on an annual basis, which celebrates all things American cinema.
Elsewhere in Deauville, the casino is France’s 4th largest, while luxury shopping outlets can be found close to the beach, with each brand housed within its own tiny wooden chalet. Keen golfers will also soon fall in love with Deauville thanks to the fact that nine courses are within an easy drive of the town’s limits.
Where to stay in Deauville
If you prefer to make an overnight trip of it (after all, the best way to enjoy Deauville is undoubtedly when all of the day trippers have left) then there are a variety of places to stay in Deauville to suit a selection of budgets and needs. Here are some of the best places to stay in Deauville based on web-reviews and location:
Budget- YOU Are Deauville: This hostel boasts amenities such as a fitness centre, free WiFi and a shared lounge. They also offer a continental or gluten-free breakfast at an extra charge. Check prices and availability here.
Mid-range- Hôtel Les 2 Villas: This cosy three-star hotel occupies two early 20th-century mansions and features amenities such as an airport shuttle and enviable location close to all of the attractions in Trouville-sur-Mer. Check prices and availability here.
Luxury- Royal Barriere Hotel: For the crème de la crème of a stay in Deauville, you’ll want to book yourself into this five-star hotel. Highlights include a spa, pool, and a restaurant onsite. Check prices and availability here.
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