Deauville

As you’d expect from a destination that reached its peak around the nineteen-twenties, Deauville accommodation sports plenty of art deco architecture. Visitors who have cash to splash should consider one of the larger estate hotels, such as the Hotel Barriere Le Normandy, which boasts both five-star facilities and a grand design. Backpackers and those hoping to save their euros may want to look for one of the smaller independent hotels in the town, such as the Villa Augeval Hotel & Spa or the Almoria Hotel & Spa.

The shopping scene in Deauville is all about high-fashion and boutique brands. Residents will proudly tell you that the town is where Coco Chanel opened her second boutique around a hundred years ago and since then the high street has been flooded by the top-talent of the fashion world. However, if you’re not a big fan of fashion you can still find plenty to enjoy, including the famous Dupont avec un Thé teahouse, where you can buy flavoursome mixes to share once you get back home.

It’s hard to find a part of Deauville without the scent of mouth-watering food. Thanks to the combined efforts of several world-renown chefs there’re are plenty of Michelin stars to be found as you make your way around town. A new favourite is Charlo, a butcher and restaurant owned by Charles Agniel – a Parisian lawyer who found his true calling as a chef. Alternatively, there are plenty of French classics to be tried, especially at the many bakeries dotted throughout the city.

While Deauville is a quiet getaway for most, its popularity with the rich and famous has led to the creation of some unique events. If you really want a full Deauville experience, be sure to visit during one of these festivals:

Deauville American Film Festival

Hosting massive names like Samuel L Jackson, Ian McKellen, Keanu Reeves and Orlando Bloom, the Deauville American Film Festival is a public and professional festival which is hotly followed by the film industry. The audience even gets to vote on an award, so if you want your voice heard in Hollywood this is a must.

D-day festival Normandy 2019

Deauville is incredibly close to Normandy, where the D-day festival is held every year between the 25th of May and the 16th of June. If you’re visiting Deauville during this time be sure to make the journey to Normandy where you can take part in the festival and pay homage to the brave soldiers who fought in the D-day landing.