Beaches -- Deauville’s boardwalk, Les Planches, is an impossibly pretty promenade running parallel to the town’s 2km (1-mile) beach, Plage de Deauville. Beaux Arts and half-timbered Norman-inspired buildings line its edges. Deauville’s distinctively primary-colored parasols dot the sands—even out of season. Visitors parade along the boardwalk past private bathing cabins, each one’s entrance stenciled with the names of Hollywood film stars who have attended the Deauville American Film Festival. It’s hard not to smile at some of the misspellings.
Access to every beach in Normandy is free, although beach clubs cover some stretches of sand. You can rent a beach umbrella for 17€ a day or 2 sun-loungers and an umbrella for 27€. Rent two sun-loungers and an umbrella for half a day for 20€. A bathing cabin costs from 17€ a day. Parking costs from 2€ per hour in the public lots beside the sea but sometimes the first hour is free.
The Piscine Olympique, bl. de la Mer (tel. 02-31-14-02-17), is a large indoor seawater pool. Depending on the season, bathers pay 5€ per person. You can buy the obligatory caps and trunks from machines if you don’t have your own.
Horse Races/Polo -- You can watch horses—either racing or competing at polo—most days from late June to early September. The grounds have a very festive, family-friendly atmosphere, with plenty of activities for children. The venues are the Hippodrome de Deauville-La Touques, 45 av. Hocquart de Turtot (www.france-galop.com; tel. 02-31-14-20-00), in the heart of town near the Mairie de Deauville (town hall); and the Hippodrome de Deauville Clairefontaine, route de Clairefontaine (www.hippodrome-deauville-clairefontaine.com; tel. 02-31-14-69-00), within the city limits, 2km (1 mile) west of the center. Entrance costs from 5€ for adults and is free for those 17 and under.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
