Deauville's main beach stretches along the entire length of the town for 1400 meters. One of the beach's most famous attractions, besides the sand, is the Bains de Mer (literally "beach baths"). Architect Charles Adda designed the baths to recall those found in the ancient city of Pompeii. The baths are more than just a place to take a shower though. There's an Olympic-size swimming pool with heated water, as well as spa treatments, and art galleries. The Bains de Mer also rents out beach cabins, umbrellas and lawn chairs, though these can seem a little on the pricey side. According to the town's official website, www.deauville.fr, cabins start at ten euros a day, an umbrella costs eight euros, and a chair will set you back five euros.
Bains de Mer
Boulevard de la mer
on the beach
+33 (0)2.31.14.02.16
www.deauville.fr
Separated from Deauville by the Touques River and name only, Trouville is older than its sister city. Trouville was a popular beach resort for French nobility when Deauville was still mostly swamp. While Trouville thrives on tourism, it also has a working-class population found along the town's fishing docks. For the most part though, Trouville Beach is just as upscale as Deauville. Leading north from the mouth of the Touques River, the Promenade des Planches forms the town's main boardwalk. A casual stroll along the shore will take visitors past numerous beach cabins, swimming pools and the Hotel Flaubert, a stunning Norman-style mansion right on the beach.
Hotel Flaubert
Rue Gustave Flaubert
14360 Trouville-sur-Mer, France
02 31 88 37 23
www.flaubert.fr
When the glitz and glamour of Deauville begin to feel a bit overwhelming, visitors can travel just a mile down the coast to Benerville-sur-Mer; the village practically begins where Deauville's boardwalk ends. This miniscule town doesn't have the boardwalk, casinos and hotels of Deauville and Trouville, but the beach is wide, sandy and much less crowded. A small coastal road, Rue de la Mer, provides access to the shore from the center of town.
