Things to do in Deauville: walk the Planches boardwalk, pick a beach hut or a parasol on the main beach, watch the races at one of the two racecourses, then cross the Touques river to the Trouville fish market. A seaside resort born under the Second Empire, Deauville is an easy weekend trip by train out of Paris to Trouville-Deauville station. This guide covers the highlights, the sights nearby and the real weather, based on Météo-France.
The figure to remember: the Deauville airport station averages 1,651 hours of sunshine a year, slightly less than Paris-Montsouris (1,717 hours), and 142 rainy days a year against 109 in Paris (Destination de Voyage calculation based on Météo-France). The Côte Fleurie is not a guaranteed-sunshine destination: people come for the light, the sea and the atmosphere, always with a jacket in their bag.
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Deauville: practical information
- Location: Calvados (Normandy), Côte Fleurie, at the mouth of the Touques opposite Trouville-sur-Mer
- Train: Trouville-Deauville station, served by TER Normandie regional trains on the Paris-Saint-Lazare line
- How long: a weekend; 3 to 4 days with Honfleur and the coast
- Best time: June to September
- Key event: the American Film Festival, early September
- Entry: Schengen rules; no visa for US and UK citizens for short tourist stays (see entry requirements)
Things to do in Deauville: the highlights
The Planches and the Bains Pompéiens
Opened in 1924, the Bains Pompéiens and the Planches promenade run along the beach; the bathing establishment, including the boardwalks and their railings, is a listed historic monument. On a first visit, walk the Planches from end to end, then head down to the sand.
The beach and its parasols
The wide sandy beach is good for walking at low tide. Beach huts and furniture are rented out in season. Out of season, the beach remains open and much quieter: the best time to photograph it.
Villas, casino and grand hotels
Deauville was launched in the 1860s at the instigation of the Duc de Morny, half-brother of Napoleon III. The casino, the Normandy (1912) and Royal (1913) hotels and the neo-Norman villas are its legacy. On the heights, the Villa Strassburger, built on a former property of Gustave Flaubert, is a listed monument for its facades and roof.
Racecourses and horses
Horses are at the heart of Deauville’s identity: races, mainly in summer, at La Touques racecourse in town and at Clairefontaine in Tourgéville, and thoroughbred sales, including the August yearling sale. Programmes and dates are on the racecourses’ websites.
Les Franciscaines
Opened in May 2021 in a former convent, Les Franciscaines is the town’s main cultural venue. A good option on a rainy day; opening hours on the official website.
Trouville and the Côte Fleurie: how far?
Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer are separated only by the Touques: you can walk from one to the other. In Trouville, don’t miss the 1936 Norman-style fish hall and its fish market, or the Villa Montebello, now the town museum. For other sights, here are the distances from Deauville.
| Place | Why go | Straight-line distance from Deauville |
|---|---|---|
| Houlgate | Seaside resort, Belle Époque villas | about 13 km (8 mi) |
| Honfleur | Vieux Bassin and Sainte-Catherine church | about 13 km (8 mi) |
| Cabourg | Côte Fleurie seaside resort | about 16 km (10 mi) |
| Caen | Castle and abbeys | about 38 km (24 mi) |
| Étretat | Chalk cliffs of the Alabaster Coast | about 40 km (25 mi) |
How to read it: Honfleur, about 13 km (8 mi) away, is the obvious half-day trip. Houlgate and Cabourg can be combined along the coast. Étretat is on the other side of the Seine estuary: allow a day. To plan that half-day, see our guide to things to do in Honfleur.
Itinerary: Deauville in 2, 3 or 4 days
- Day 1: the Planches, the beach, the centre and the casino; dinner in Trouville.
- Day 2: Trouville fish market in the morning, Les Franciscaines or the races in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Honfleur and the Vieux Bassin.
- Day 4: Houlgate and Cabourg, or Étretat.
Deauville is also a classic romantic weekend idea.
When to go to Deauville
From June to September: 19.7 to 21.7 °C (67 to 71 °F) in the afternoon, about 9.8 rainy days in July and up to 6.6 hours of sunshine a day. It is rarely very hot: on average 3 days a year above 30 °C (86 °F) and 19 above 25 °C (77 °F). September adds the American Film Festival and still-mild temperatures (19.2 °C, or 67 °F). From November to January there are 14 to 15 rainy days a month and about 2 hours of sunshine a day: the town is quiet, ideal for an off-season seaside weekend, warm clothes included.
| Month | Avg max | Avg min | Rain | Rainy days | Sun / day | Sun vs Paris | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.4 °C (45 °F) | 2.5 °C (36 °F) | 77.9 mm (3.1 in) | 13.8 | 2.2 h | +0.3 h | ❌ Cold, grey |
| February | 8.2 °C (47 °F) | 2.4 °C (36 °F) | 64.4 mm (2.5 in) | 12.0 | 2.9 h | −0.1 h | ⚠️ Cold |
| March | 11.0 °C (52 °F) | 4.1 °C (39 °F) | 61.2 mm (2.4 in) | 11.4 | 4.1 h | −0.2 h | ⚠️ Cool |
| April | 13.9 °C (57 °F) | 5.6 °C (42 °F) | 60.4 mm (2.4 in) | 10.5 | 5.9 h | +0.0 h | ✅ Mild spring |
| May | 16.9 °C (62 °F) | 8.5 °C (47 °F) | 65.3 mm (2.6 in) | 10.3 | 6.1 h | −0.4 h | ✅ Pleasant |
| June | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 11.3 °C (52 °F) | 68.3 mm (2.7 in) | 9.8 | 6.8 h | −0.0 h | ✅ Long sunny days |
| July | 21.6 °C (71 °F) | 13.2 °C (56 °F) | 64.2 mm (2.5 in) | 9.8 | 6.6 h | −0.6 h | ✅ Beach season |
| August | 21.7 °C (71 °F) | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 81.4 mm (3.2 in) | 10.3 | 6.3 h | −0.6 h | ✅ Warmest |
| September | 19.2 °C (67 °F) | 11.1 °C (52 °F) | 80.4 mm (3.2 in) | 10.6 | 5.3 h | −0.5 h | ✅ Festival, still mild |
| October | 15.3 °C (60 °F) | 8.7 °C (48 °F) | 95.3 mm (3.8 in) | 13.2 | 3.7 h | −0.2 h | ⚠️ Rainy |
| November | 10.9 °C (52 °F) | 5.4 °C (42 °F) | 94.5 mm (3.7 in) | 14.5 | 2.4 h | +0.0 h | ❌ Rainy, dark |
| December | 8.1 °C (47 °F) | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 107.1 mm (4.2 in) | 15.3 | 1.9 h | +0.0 h | ❌ Wettest month |
How many rainy days over a weekend?
| Season | Expected rainy days over 2 days |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-February) | 0.9 |
| Spring (March-May) | 0.7 |
| Summer (June-August) | 0.7 |
| Autumn (September-November) | 0.8 |
Over a two-day weekend, expect about 0.7 days of rain in summer and 0.9 in winter. Keep Les Franciscaines or the casino for the greyest half-day.
Events in Deauville
| When | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Early September | American Film Festival (52nd edition, 4 to 13 September 2026) | festival-deauville.com; 2027 dates to be confirmed |
| Summer, especially August | Major races at La Touques and Clairefontaine racecourses; yearling sale | Wikipedia; programmes on the racecourses’ websites |
Where to stay in Deauville
| Area | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Deauville seafront and centre | Short stay without a car | Planches, beach and casino on foot |
| Trouville-sur-Mer | Harbour atmosphere, restaurants | Fish market, shared station |
| Bénerville, Tourgéville, Blonville | Peace and quiet, families | Quieter beaches; a car is useful |
| Pays d’Auge hinterland | Holiday cottages, longer stays | Norman countryside; a car is essential |
Getting there and getting around
- By train: Trouville-Deauville station is served by TER Normandie trains between Paris-Saint-Lazare and Deauville, and towards Lisieux or Dives-Cabourg (Wikipedia).
- By air: Deauville-Normandie airport is at Saint-Gatien-des-Bois; check its website for the season’s routes. Most international visitors arrive via the Paris airports.
- Locally: Deauville and Trouville can be explored on foot; Nomad coaches serve the station.
- By car: useful for Honfleur, the Pays d’Auge and the coast.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: you may enter the Schengen area, including France, for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa; your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your period of stay (six months recommended), and immigration officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist; your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken at the border, free of charge (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- Health and emergencies: UK travellers need a GHIC or valid EHIC for state healthcare; everyone should have travel insurance covering medical costs. Emergency numbers: 112 (European emergency number) and 15 (medical emergencies) (GOV.UK; travel.state.gov).
- Swimming: GOV.UK advises understanding and following the lifeguards’ flag warning system before swimming.
Practical tips for Deauville
- Wind: even in summer, the sea breeze cools the air; bring an extra layer.
- Festival and major races: book accommodation early, these are the busiest periods.
- Tides: check tide times before walking on the sand.
- Mobile data: check your home carrier’s roaming charges before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Deauville in a weekend?
The Planches and the beach, the centre and its villas, the races in season, Les Franciscaines, then Trouville and its fish market across the Touques; Honfleur as a half-day trip.
What is the best time to go to Deauville?
June to September: 19.7 to 21.7 °C (67 to 71 °F) in the afternoon and 9 to 10 rainy days a month according to Météo-France (Deauville airport, 1991-2020).
Can you get to Deauville by train?
Yes: Trouville-Deauville station is served by TER Normandie trains on the line to Paris-Saint-Lazare.
When is the Deauville American Film Festival?
Early September: the 52nd edition was held from 4 to 13 September 2026. Dates for the next edition are published on the festival’s official website.
Deauville or Trouville?
The two complement each other: Deauville for the Planches, the grand hotels and the races; Trouville for the harbour, the fish market and a more down-to-earth atmosphere. They share the same station.
Our sources
- Météo-France: climate sheet, 1991-2020 statistics (sunshine 1991-2017), Saint-Gatien-des-Bois station (Deauville airport, 139 m / 456 ft); Paris-Montsouris station for the comparison (climate sheets accessed 23 October 2026)
- Destination de Voyage calculation: straight-line distances (Wikipedia coordinates), rainy days over a weekend, sun per day vs Paris
- Deauville American Film Festival (festival-deauville.com), accessed 23 October 2026
- Wikipedia (French edition): « Deauville », « Trouville-sur-Mer », « Gare de Trouville – Deauville », accessed 23 October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, France country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for France (updated 22 October 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To extend your trip, see our Normandy guide, our Mont-Saint-Michel page and our weekend ideas.
