Deauville has a strong coastal focus, while also offering distinctive architecture, cultural venues and equestrian sports. When choosing your destination, consider what interests you most: the beach and its promenade, the history of the Bains pompéiens and Villa Strassburger, or cultural activities and polo.
Beach and Promenade in Deauville
Les Planches de Deauville form a long promenade offering views of the beach, colorful parasols and the changing colors of the sea and sky. Today, the promenade is 643 meters long. Plage de Deauville stretches between the sea and Boulevard Cornuché. The coast and promenade are therefore at the heart of Deauville if you primarily associate the town with the beach.
The names of actors and actresses are painted in black letters on the slats between the beach cabins.
At the beach first-aid station, people with mobility impairments can borrow a Tiralo and a Hippocampe upon presentation of an ID. If you plan to use one of these aids during your beach visit, check on current availability before you travel.
Art Deco and Architectural History
The Bains pompéiens combine antiquity-inspired courtyards, atriums and galleries with arcades, alongside modernist Art Deco design. The complex was inaugurated on July 5, 1924, based on a design by architect Charles Adda. The cabins are also part of its distinctive architecture: they open onto the sea or onto five interior gardens. If you are interested in architectural styles, you can see a range of design features in one place instead of focusing solely on the beach setting.
Culture in a Former Monastery
Les Franciscaines is housed in a fully renovated former monastery and devotes 6,200 square meters to art and culture. Its offerings include painting, photography, literature and performances in a year-round program. The venue includes a museum, a media library, an events hall, an auditorium, exhibition spaces and a FabLab that is open to everyone. If you are planning a visit around a particular exhibition or performance, check the relevant dates.
The Deauville American Film Festival also opens its doors to the public. It was founded in 1975. If attending the festival is important to your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.
Equestrian Sports and Historical Connections
Hippodrome Deauville-La Touques was built in 1864. Its grounds feature three polo fields, where the world’s best teams regularly compete. The École de polo de Deauville trains riders indoors and outdoors. If you plan to take polo lessons, check current availability and booking arrangements in advance.
Another historical connection leads to Villa Strassburger: the Belle Époque building was built for Henri de Rothschild on the site of a farm that belonged to Gustave Flaubert’s family. These connections form part of different chapters in the town’s history; they also make the villa interesting to travelers who are interested in Deauville’s historic architecture as well as its beach and culture.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierre-Du-Jonquet, Fontenay Le Pesnel, La Cambe, Argences, Le Mesnil-Sur-Blangy, Landelles-Et-Coupigny, Cauvicourt, Valsemé.
For the regional travel overview: Calvados.
