Since the 1860s, Deauville has been the seaside escape of choice for Parisians. Its wide sandy beach, Belle Époque villas, racecourses and casino earned it the nickname of "the 21st arrondissement of Paris". Just across the river, Trouville offers a livelier, more authentic fishing-town atmosphere. Together, they make a perfect weekend from Paris, about 200 km and just over two hours by road. This guide plans a chauffeur-driven weekend in Deauville and Trouville: what to see, where to wander, when to go and why letting someone else drive makes the return trip so much better.
Getting from Paris to Deauville
By road, Deauville is about 200 km from Paris via the A13 motorway, roughly 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes without traffic. Trains run from Paris Saint-Lazare to the shared Trouville-Deauville station in about 2 hours, with more services in summer and at weekends.
The challenge is the A13 itself. On Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, especially in summer and on holiday weekends, it fills with Parisians heading to and from the coast. A two-hour drive can become three or four. With a chauffeur, that time is yours: rest, read, work or simply watch the Normandy countryside go by.
Deauville: elegant and polished
- Les Planches: the famous wooden boardwalk running along the beach, lined with Art Deco beach cabins. Many carry the names of Hollywood stars who attended the Deauville American Film Festival.
- The beach and parasols: the rows of colourful parasols are one of the most photographed sights on the Normandy coast.
- Racecourses: Deauville hosts major flat races in summer, including the August racing season, and the prestigious yearling sales. Polo matches also take place in August.
- Casino Barrière and the grand hotels: Deauville's Belle Époque glamour centres on its casino and landmark hotels.
- Boutiques: luxury fashion and design shops line the streets near the casino, a reminder that Coco Chanel opened one of her first boutiques here in 1913.
- The American Film Festival: held each September, it brings premieres and celebrities to town.
Trouville: the authentic fishing town
Cross the bridge over the Touques river and you're in Trouville-sur-Mer, older and more relaxed than its glamorous neighbour. Highlights:
- The fish market (Marché aux Poissons): stalls selling oysters, shrimp, whelks and fresh fish, often eaten on the spot with a glass of white wine.
- The beach and villas: a long beach backed by extravagant 19th-century villas that inspired painters such as Eugène Boudin and Claude Monet.
- Seafood restaurants: classic brasseries serving moules-frites and seafood platters.
- The Villa Montebello museum: with works by painters inspired by the coast; check opening days.
Honfleur: 15 minutes away
No weekend on the Côte Fleurie is complete without Honfleur, about 15 minutes from Deauville. Its Vieux Bassin harbour, surrounded by tall slate-fronted houses, is one of the prettiest in France. Visit the wooden Sainte-Catherine church, the Eugène Boudin museum and the galleries along the cobbled lanes.
A relaxed weekend plan
Friday
- Leave Paris after work; your chauffeur collects you from the office or home.
- Arrive around 20:30 for a late seafood dinner.
Saturday
- Morning walk along Les Planches and coffee by the beach.
- Late morning: Deauville boutiques or the racecourse in season.
- Lunch at Trouville's fish market or a brasserie.
- Afternoon: Honfleur's harbour and galleries.
- Evening: dinner and perhaps the casino.
Sunday
- Brunch and a final beach walk.
- Optional detour: the Pays d'Auge Cider Route or the cliffs of Étretat.
- Leave mid-afternoon, ahead of the busiest return traffic, or leave late and relax while your driver deals with the A13.
Why go by chauffeur
- No Sunday-evening driving on the busy A13.
- Two one-way transfers usually cost less than keeping a car parked all weekend.
- Flexibility: add Honfleur, Étretat or the Cider Route without worrying about who drives after lunch.
- Comfort for groups: a Mercedes V-Class takes up to seven people and weekend luggage; an S-Class suits couples.
Check the Luxberri deals page for current offers on Normandy transfers.
When to go
July and August are lively, with racing and polo but also more traffic and higher hotel prices. September brings the American Film Festival and softer light. Spring and autumn are quieter and ideal for walks. Winter is calm, with hotels, restaurants and the casino still open.
Deauville as a day trip
Short on time? Deauville also works as a long day trip from Paris. Leave at 8:00, arrive around 10:15 for a morning on Les Planches, lunch at the Trouville fish market, spend the afternoon in Honfleur and head back at 17:30, arriving in Paris around 20:00. It's a full day, but with a chauffeur you can sleep or work on the way home instead of facing the A13 yourself. For a calmer pace, the weekend version remains the better choice.
Golf, spa and wellness on the Côte Fleurie
Deauville isn't only about the beach. The area has several well-regarded golf courses set among Normandy countryside and sea views, popular with Parisian weekenders; book tee times ahead. Many of the grand hotels have spas, and the Normandy coast has a long tradition of thalassotherapy, seawater-based treatments that were part of the original appeal of seaside resorts in the 19th century. Horse riding on the beach at low tide is another classic experience, offered by local riding centres. If you plan golf or riding, tell your chauffeur when booking: the V-Class has room for golf bags and equipment, and the driver can take you between the hotel, the course and the restaurants throughout the weekend.
Travelling with a dog
Deauville and Trouville are dog-friendly destinations, with beach areas open to dogs in certain seasons; check local beach rules. A private car is the easiest way to bring a dog from Paris for the weekend.
Where to stay in Deauville and Trouville
Deauville's grand seafront hotels and Belle Époque villas suit a classic, polished weekend close to the boardwalk and the casino. Trouville offers smaller hotels and guesthouses with a more relaxed feel, steps from the fish market and the beach. Honfleur, 15 minutes away, is another lovely base, with harbour-side rooms in historic houses. Book early for summer weekends, race weeks and the September film festival.
More questions
Can the driver bring us back on a different day?
Yes, book two one-way transfers on the dates you choose.
Is Trouville different from Deauville?
Yes, Trouville is a working fishing town with a more casual feel.
