Frequently Asked Questions about Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France
Where Are Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France?
Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer are in Normandy, France less than a two and a half-hour train trip from Paris. These two towns sit side by side right on the Atlantic Ocean. Trouville-sur-Mer is the laid back fishing village while Deauville France is more upscale with chic boutiques, a casino and racecourses.
How Do I Get To Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France from Paris?
From Paris, head to Gare Saint-Lazare from where all the trains going to Normandy leave. In the midst of the heatwave, the trains were air-conditioned.
There are some direct trains to Trouville-sur-Mer and Deauville France, but many have a change of train in Lisieux. This is an easy change. Follow the crowds over the bridge to another platform. The second train is often ready to board or there is a short wait until it arrives.
The train arrives at the Gare de Trouville Deauville.
Book your tickets here.
Where Do I Go Upon Arrival At The Station In Trouville Deauville France?
Walk out of the station and if you are headed to Deauville France, walk to the left. It is about a fifteen-minute walk to the beach from the train station.
If you are headed to Trouville-sur-Mer, keep to the right (with the station at your back) and walk over the bridge.
I wasn’t sure which way to go so followed the crowds to Deauville. I spent the morning in Deauville and the afternoon in Trouville-sur-Mer.
Is There A Place To Change?
Ahh… going to the beach always makes me think of delightfully sandy towels and soggy bathing suits! There are lovely beach houses along the 1800 metre boardwalk. Oh, how convenient this would have been!
For public changing, most people I observed, had their bathing suits under their summer clothes and others changed wrapped in a towel right on the beach.
What Should I Bring to Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France?
Bring what you would typically bring to the beach for a day: a towel, sunscreen, a water bottle, a picnic, a beach umbrella, a bucket and shovel, a good book and whatever else makes you happy at the seaside. Just remember that on this Normandy day trip from Paris you have to carry everything!!
Are There Public Bathrooms At Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France?
Yes, there are definitely public bathrooms but I didn’t use them. I prefer to have a coffee at a café and use “les toilettes” there.
Are There Restaurants And Cafés?
In both towns, there are plenty of places to eat! I explored the town of Trouville-sur-Mer more than the town of Deauville France. There is a café on Deauville Beach and in Trouville-sur-Mer there is a stretch of ice cream shops, cafés and restaurants along the beach.
What Activities Can I Do At The Deauville Beach and Trouville-sur-Mer?
There are plenty of activities to participate in at Deauville Beach and the beach at Trouville-sur-Mer. See below for the details.
I took the 6:30 train from Saint-Lazare station and was standing on the beach at Deauville France by 9 am. Coming in the middle of a heatwave, I wanted to arrive early and feel my feet in the sand and the ocean lap at my shins.
On Deauville Beach at 9 a.m., the sun is in the perfect location to cast parasol shadows across the soft sand. They stand like sentinels waiting to be set up for the day.
Things To Do In Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France
1. Have A Coffee On Deauville Beach
After a glorious march across Deauville Beach in bare feet, have a second breakfast (if you came on the early train from Paris) at the Bar du Soleil where yellow tables and chairs are firmly planted in the sand under red parasols.
2. Stroll A Stretch Of Deauville Beach
Who doesn’t love a long beach stroll splashing barefoot in the sea accompanied by a gentle sea breeze?
Deauville Beach, especially at low tide, is a beach walker’s paradise. There is plenty of space for everyone.
Tide pools form, with their own current, as the tide starts to come in. They are perfect for exploring.
If you love Atlantic Beaches, here is another one to visit near Bordeaux.
3. Rent A Parasol At Deauville France
Right near the Bar du Soleil is the place to rent a parasol along Deauville Beach. Beach cabins, deck chairs, and sunbeds are all available to rent!
Find out all the information needed right here.
4. Sit On Deauville Beach And Relax
The classic way to enjoy any beach is to set up that beach umbrella, lay out your towel, relax and go swimming in the ocean. Bring a book or a journal, especially if you are having this day trip from Paris on your own.
As a solo traveller, I either scope out someone to watch my belongings for a few minutes so that I can go for a swim or I content myself with wading up to my knees, holding onto my things.
A very different kind of seaside adventure awaits on Ile aux Moines in southern Brittany. Find out all about it here.
5. Take The Bac From Deauville France To Trouville-sur-Mer
This little shuttle boat (the Bac) runs between Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer. It lasts about two minutes and costs €1.50. In the searing heat, I was quite happy to get on the boat and to avoid walking further! The boat probably saves about twenty-minutes of walking time.
To find where the Bac runs from, leave Deauville Beach, walk past the Péniche restaurant to the road. Turn left and keep going. It’s further than you think. Or at least further than I thought!
6. Watch The Fishermen In Trouville-sur-Mer Normandy
The Bac arrives right where the fishing boats are anchored in Trouville-sur-Mer. Watch the fishermen sort fish, the seagulls swarm and boats heading out to sea.
7. Eat Seafood In Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France
As you can imagine there is plenty of fish and seafood to enjoy. There are restaurants in both towns. In Trouville-sur-Mer, I was tempted by the oyster bar, my new love, but opted for Les Vapeurs. This brasserie, situated at 160 Fernand Moureaux quay, has been open since 1927. My second seafood love, moules (mussels) won the day. I chose moules with a crème Normand sauce. This steaming pot of mussels was a game changer. Will I ever be able to eat mussels again without a Normand cream sauce? I think not!
Read about how to eat mussels (hint: without a fork) and how to eat oysters (hint: chew them) while in France.
8. Shop The Specialty Shops In Trouville-sur-Mer Normandy
Wander along the cobblestone streets in Trouville-sur-Mer and explore the boutiques and speciality shops. Normandy is known for its cream, Camembert cheese, cider, Calvados (an apple brandy aged in oak barrels) biscuits, toffee and fish.
It is a wonderful introduction to the deliciousness of Normandy, France and a perfect place to pick up some gifts.
9. Walk The Boardwalks In Trouville-sur-Mer & Deauville France
The Promenade des Planches, the famous boardwalk on Deauville Beach, is lined in one section with Art Deco beach houses, each named for an American actor. A tribute to the annual Deauville American Film Festival which started in 1975.
Trouville-sur-Mer, nicknamed the Queen of Beaches, also has a boardwalk lined with 19th-century beach huts. As you stroll along think of Claude Monet and other artists inspired to create masterpieces by this stunning location.
10. Climb The Trouville-sur-Mer Stairs For The Spectacular Views
Walk away from the beach and through the town of Trouville-sur-Mer. Head towards the hill either by following the road or the staircases. Admire the homes with apple trees in their backyards. Find a tranquil spot at the top of the staircases with a sea breeze and view.
11. Get Active in Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer
Walking along the beach in Trouville-sur-Mer, it is easy to spot the plethora of activities available such as paddleboarding, surfing, tennis, kayaking and horseback riding.
North Shore Surf School offers surfing and SUP lessons.
In Deauville France, there is an Olympic Seawater Pool, windsurfing, kayaking and many other water activities on offer.
12. Take A Guided Tour To Deauville France
13. More Normandy, France Travel Info
If you are travelling in Normandy, here are all my posts to help you plan your trip. This article, 19 Wonderful Things To Do in Normandy is a great overview. You might also like detailed articles on Bayeux and its famous tapestry, visiting the D-Day Beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel, Giverny, Honfleur and Etretat. There is also a post on how to eat oysters as the French do when travelling in Normandy France.
14. Where To Stay
There is a chance that you might change your plans. Day trips sometimes just morph into something a bit longer. If you have the flexibility and a place that feels just right to you, change your itinerary and stay awhile.
Booking.com15. Other Day Trips from Paris
This article lists 14 fabulous day trips from Paris.
Here are some favourites:
Mont Saint-Michel, that unforgettable church rising out of the sea, is also in Normandy and can be visited as a day trip from Paris.
Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent Van Gogh created his final eighty paintings is another perfect day trip from Paris.
If you love medieval villages, Provins is not too far from Paris.
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This sounds like such a wonderful day, and your photos are fabulous. Those umbrellas with their long draped shades are really unique and beautiful. Both towns sound so enticing. I can imagine a day like this – so dreamy.
How magical! And the colors of the parasols at Deauville are picture perfect. We have not been to France but I really think that when we do we are going to have to visit the coast!
Aren’t the parasols just lovely? France has a lot of coastlines. The Normandy coastline is amazing. 🙂