What to do in Deauville? Our weekend itinerary.

A jewel of the Norman coast, Deauville is appreciated in both winter and summer thanks to its salty charm and its period buildings. An upscale seaside resort to discover over a weekend filled with sea air and a certain quality of life.

Friday afternoon: 

Check into the Hôtel Barrière du Golf Deauville and hit the golf ball

On the heights of Deauville, the Hôtel du Golf is quickly recognized by its iconic half-timbered facade. Nestled in the heart of the protected natural site of Mont-Canisy, this 5-star hotel in Deauville transports its travelers into a green and soothing environment. Beyond the doors of this nearly century-old Anglo-Norman residence, one discovers a chic country decor designed by Chantal Peyrat. Here, Scottish tartans, lamps in homage to horses, and various sculptures are blended. Once the suitcases are settled in one of the 170 rooms and suites dressed in green, shades of beige that recall the sand of the seaside resort, and a characteristic red of the region's apples, head towards The hotel's iconic golf course.

Opened in the early 1930s and designed by architects Tom Simpson and Henry Cotton, the golf course spans nearly 70 hectares and is divided between the Diane Barrière, an 18-hole course, and the Lucien Barrière. Between shots, golf enthusiasts can catch glimpses of the sea and the Deauville countryside. And for beginners, the Academy allows you to practice while enjoying the exceptional panorama.

A dinner at Le Lassay restaurant  

After a nice hot bath that promises a weekend at the beach in all tranquility, the fine-dining restaurant Le Lassay blends exotic aromas with Norman flavors. We start with carpaccio of salmon and whiting accompanied by seaweed, citrus, and beetroot, followed by skate married with celery puree, mussels, and clams, or yellow chicken lacquered with balsamic, Pont-l'Évêque croquettes, and pommes Darphin, before moving on to the unmissable Norman cheese platter. For dessert, it's hard not to succumb to the apple-pear tartlet with Calvados. The evening ends with a last drink at Le Green bar, entirely adorned with red checkered patterns and dark woodwork.

Saturday 

A Morning at the Franciscaines

The site was created in 1877 and served as an orphanage, a military hospital, a domestic science school, a vocational high school, and finally a «Welcome House for elderly sisters.» But since May 2021, the address has been transformed into a multicultural center. Les Franciscaines brings together a media library, the collections of museum, exhibitions temporary exhibits, concerts, conferences, shows, a FabLab, and a restaurant: a true cultural experience enhanced by the building's historical aura.

Lunch at Le Deauville

On the Touques peninsula, Le Deauville lives up to its name. On one side, its decor, designed by Martin Brudnizki, references the city with colorful pop touches, quirky elements, and a glamorous 1950s ambiance. On the other, its large terrace overlooks the pleasure boats and the heights of Trouville. As befitting the region, its menu naturally highlights seafood (the restaurant has its own oyster bar!). Scallops, sea bass, sole meunière, oysters, smoked salmon… Plenty to delight lovers of sea flavors. Meat-eaters and vegetarians are not forgotten, with the emblematic "crying tiger" dish and delicious morel rigatoni.

Villa Strassburger and the Belvederes of the Peninsula

While the coast boasts many sublime Belle Époque villas, Villa Strassburger stands out as an icon. Built by Henri de Rothschild on the site of a farm that belonged to Gustave Flaubert's family, the residence was purchased in 1924 by the American billionaire Ralph Strassburger. His son bequeathed it to the town of Deauville in 1980, five years after it was classified as a historical monument. We opted for the guided tour to appreciate all the details of this manor, with its brick and stone checkerboard pattern on the ground floor, half-timbered upper floor, period furnishings, and horse paintings. 

A stone's throw from the train station, wearing good shoes or having a ticket for the elevator, you can ascend one of the black and white striped viewing platforms, both located on the Quai de l'Impératrice Eugénie. At a height of 28 meters, you can enjoy a 360° view of the port of Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, the Touques estuary, the coastline, and the rolling hills of the Augeron countryside.

Late afternoon at the spa

We return to’Luxury hotel and spa to enjoy a treatment at the MyBlend Spa. The mySkinDiag ritual offers a digital diagnosis and an in-depth consultation with a practitioner to choose products and techniques tailored to the skin and body. In short, the tailor-made well-being. If the weather permits, the outdoor pool invites you for a few peaceful laps while the children have fun at the renowned Kid's Club. Barrière Group, with many activities that are as fun as they are educational. We finish with a sauna and a steam room to warm up and eliminate the last toxins. 

Michelin-starred dinner at Maximin Hellio

In its salty setting, an "étoile" restaurant, spread between an open kitchen and cozy alcoves, Chef Maximin Hellio, whose passion for gastronomy is inherited, champions contemporary cuisine inspired by products and landscapes. Several menus are offered, with different services, and showcase both land and sea dishes. Signature plates? Mallemort asparagus with caviar, Marans egg with yuzu, line-caught John Dory with salsify, or turbot with grapefruit. In the dining room, Sophie Hellio ensures guests' well-being and greatly contributes to the charm of this temple of taste.

Sunday

Seaside stroll 

Along the two-kilometer beach, the mythical Planches de Deauville, measuring 643 meters in length, attract all lovers of sea air winter and summer. Built in 1923 by architect Charles Adda, these have always been accompanied by Art Deco cabins proudly bearing the names of the actors and directors who have participated in the Deauville American Film Festival. A sort of French Hollywood Boulevard imbued with Norman magic. The beach itself is adorned with hundreds of parasols in the warm season.

Lunch at Ciro's

We're taking advantage of this rejuvenating walk to have lunch at Ciro's, which has been located directly on the boardwalk (Planches) since 1959. The establishment, under the guidance of the 5-star hotel Le Normandy, part of the Barrière group and helmed by Chef Adrien Antzenberger, has charmed cinema's biggest stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Harrison Ford, and Jean Gabin. Recently renovated, the restaurant boasts a contemporary decor that respects its heritage, with wood paneling reminiscent of the luxurious ocean liners of yesteryear. In the summer, the preferred spot is the terrace, where the scent of the sea enhances the dishes. The bouillabaisse and sole meunière, filleted in front of guests, provide a spectacle, while the seafood platters, creamy linguine with roasted lobster, and the excellent Norman cheese platter awaken the taste buds. For dessert, we recommend the cider-poached apple with crème fraîche or the Grand Marnier soufflé. Not to mention the exquisite wine list.

Stroll through the alleys of Deauville 

In the afternoon, we take our time to stroll through the town center to discover its shops and houses. Among the must-see spots, the Le Printemps department store has been an institution in Deauville since 1912 thanks to its Art Deco architecture. It is also possible to rent bikes to explore the surroundings and fill your lungs with fresh air, before stopping at "Dupont avec un thé," a tea room whose reputation is well-established.

By: Pauline Duvieu