Deauville and Trouville Day Trip from Paris
Deauville and Trouville sit side by side on Normandy's coast, 200km west of Paris. These twin beach towns offer sandy shores, timber-framed houses, and a resort atmosphere that's earned them the nickname "Paris's 21st arrondissement." Deauville leans upscale with luxury boutiques and a famous film festival; Trouville keeps things more relaxed with fishing port charm and lower prices.
Both towns exploded as seaside destinations in the early 1900s when Parisians discovered Normandy beaches. WWII devastated them, and vacationers didn't return until the 1950s. Today they thrive again - Deauville hosts the American Film Festival annually since 1975, while Trouville maintains its working port alongside tourism. A river separates them; you can walk between both in 20 minutes.
These seaside day trips from Paris suit beach lovers, seafood enthusiasts, or anyone craving coastal air without leaving France. Train access from Saint-Lazare takes under 2.5 hours. Unlike Etretat's dramatic cliffs, Deauville and Trouville offer flat sandy beaches perfect for lounging. Unlike Honfleur's harbor focus, these towns prioritize beach life and Belle Époque elegance.
Note: Summer weekends get packed with Parisians. Visit weekdays or off-season for breathing room.
| Factor | Details |
| Distance from Paris | 200 km west |
| Travel time | 2-2.5 hours by train; 2 hours by car |
| Time needed | Full day minimum; weekend ideal |
| Best for | Beach relaxation, seafood, Belle Époque architecture |
| Entry | Beaches and boardwalks free; restaurants and activities paid |
| Crowds | High in summer; moderate off-season |
| Difficulty | Easy - direct train, flat terrain |
How to Get to Deauville and Trouville from Paris
Train from Saint-Lazare
Direct trains depart Paris Saint-Lazare for Trouville-Deauville station multiple times daily. Journey takes 2 hours to 2 hours 20 minutes depending on the service. Book tickets through SNCF website or app - prices vary by time and advance booking.
From Trouville-Deauville station, both town centers lie within 10-15 minutes walking. Trouville is slightly closer. Signage points you toward beaches and main streets.
Return trains run until evening. Check schedules before your visit - last trains leave around 8-9 PM depending on season.
Driving via A13
Take A13 motorway west from Paris toward Caen, then follow signs to Deauville (2 hours). Parking exists in both towns - paid lots near beaches, street parking in residential areas. Summer parking gets tight; arrive early or use paid garages.
Driving lets you explore surrounding Normandy coast - Honfleur is 15 minutes away, Etretat about 45 minutes.
Organized Tours
Tour operators bundle Deauville-Trouville with Honfleur for full-day Normandy coast excursions. These handle transport and provide commentary but limit your beach time. Better suited for people who want multiple destinations rather than seaside relaxation.
One Day Itinerary for Deauville and Trouville
8:30-10:45 AM: Train to Normandy Coast
Catch an early train from Saint-Lazare (departures around 8:30-9:00 AM). Bring breakfast or buy croissants at the station. Journey takes just over 2 hours - watch Paris suburbs give way to Normandy countryside and eventually coastal views.
10:45-11:15 AM: Arrive and Head to Beach
Exit Trouville-Deauville station and walk 10-15 minutes to Deauville beach. Follow signs or just head toward the water - you can't miss it. Drop bags at a beach locker if available, or find a cafe willing to hold them while you explore.
11:15 AM-1:00 PM: Deauville Beach and Boardwalk
Start at Deauville's famous boardwalk - Les Planches. This wooden promenade stretches along the beach, lined with art deco beach cabins painted with names of film stars and directors from the American Film Festival. Elizabeth Taylor, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Will Ferrell - test your cinema knowledge as you stroll.
Sandy beach spreads wide with striped parasols creating postcard scenes. Summer means crowds; off-season gives you space. Water temperature stays cool even in summer - this is the English Channel, not the Mediterranean. Paddling works; serious swimming requires tolerance for cold.
Rent colorful umbrellas and beach chairs from vendors if you want to lounge. Or just walk the sand, breathe salt air, watch waves crash. Grand villas back the beach road - Belle Époque architecture showing how the wealthy vacationed a century ago.
1:00-2:30 PM: Seafood Lunch in Trouville
Walk or take the short bridge crossing to Trouville (15-20 minutes on foot). Trouville's fishing port heritage means excellent seafood at better prices than Deauville's luxury restaurants.
Les Affiches (6 Rue de Paris) serves mouthwatering cider seafood and cheese dishes at reasonable rates. Or browse the waterfront for other options - over 40 restaurants between both towns offer everything from casual bistros to upscale dining.
Local specialties include mussels, oysters, sole, and anything pulled from nearby waters that morning. Pair with Normandy cider - the region's famous for it.
2:30-4:00 PM: Trouville Exploration
After lunch, wander Trouville's streets. Timber-framed houses line narrow lanes. Fishing boats still work from the port - more authentic than Deauville's polished resort vibe. Trouville feels lived-in where Deauville feels curated.
Browse local shops selling Normandy products - cider, calvados, cheese, seafood. Prices beat Deauville's luxury boutiques. If you want high-end shopping, save it for Deauville later; Trouville rewards casual exploration.
Walk Trouville's boardwalk - less famous than Deauville's but equally pleasant. Beach here gets less crowded. Some visitors prefer Trouville's relaxed atmosphere over Deauville's glamour.
4:00-5:30 PM: Return to Deauville
Cross back to Deauville for afternoon activities. Rent a "rosalie" bicycle if you're with friends - these four-seater covered cycling vehicles look ridiculous but let you cover more ground while laughing at yourselves.
Browse Deauville's luxury shopping - each brand occupies its own tiny wooden chalet near the beach. Window shopping costs nothing even if Hermès and Chanel exceed your budget.
Visit the casino if gambling interests you - France's 4th largest. Or just admire the Belle Époque building from outside.
Walk residential streets to see how the other half lives - or lived. Architecture spans late 19th and early 20th centuries, showing evolving resort styles.
5:30-6:30 PM: Sunset Drink
Find a beachside bar for pre-dinner drinks. Summer sunsets happen late (after 10 PM at peak season); earlier visits mean catching golden hour instead. Either way, watching light change over the Channel while sipping local cider makes a perfect end to beach time.
6:30-8:00 PM: Dinner and Return
Grab dinner before your train - Bouillon Morny serves French bistro classics (escargot, onion soup, beef bourguignon, steak tartare) at reasonable prices in lively atmosphere. Or pick up sandwiches for the train if you're on a budget.
Walk back to Trouville-Deauville station for evening trains to Paris. Journey home takes 2+ hours; you'll arrive around 10-11 PM depending on departure time.
Things to Do - Extended Options
Weekend Instead of Day Trip
Deauville and Trouville reward overnight stays. Day trips feel rushed - you spend 4+ hours on trains for maybe 6 hours at the coast. Staying overnight lets you enjoy evening atmosphere, morning beach walks, and multiple meals without train schedule pressure.
Hotels range from budget to luxury. Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville offers five-star indulgence. Trouville has more affordable options. Book ahead for summer weekends.
Market Days
Deauville's Place du Marché hosts markets July-August daily except Wednesday (7 AM-1:30 PM); Tuesday, Friday, Saturday rest of year. Find crafts, clothes, seasonal produce, bread, cheese, prepared food. Strawberry season means boxes of berries picked the night before - buy and eat while shopping.
One vendor sells Indian cotton clothing he designs himself after spending half his year in India. Unique finds beat standard tourist shops.
Deauville American Film Festival
Held annually since 1975, this September festival celebrates American cinema. Red carpets, premieres, celebrity sightings. Unless you're a film industry insider, watching from the sidelines is your option. But festival atmosphere energizes the town.
Golf Courses
Nine golf courses sit within easy driving distance. Deauville attracts golfers with two world-class courses plus nearby options. Not relevant for day-trippers but worth knowing for extended stays.
Horse Racing and Polo
Deauville hosts glamorous horse races and polo matches throughout summer. These events draw wealthy crowds and add to the town's upscale reputation. Check schedules if equestrian sports interest you.
Combining with Honfleur
Honfleur sits 15 minutes from Deauville by car. Its picturesque harbor and art history contrast nicely with beach resort vibes. With a car and full day, you could hit all three towns - morning in Honfleur, afternoon at Deauville-Trouville beaches. Without a car, pick one destination per day.
Kayak Trekking
Discover Trouville sur mer and Deauville, these two neighbouring cities. On your canoe, you will glide on the waters of La Touques to reach the port of Trouvilles sur Mer.
Deauville vs Trouville - Which to Prioritize
Deauville offers luxury, glamour, famous boardwalk, upscale shopping, and polished resort atmosphere. Prices run higher. Crowds skew wealthier. Architecture and beach facilities impress. Choose Deauville if you want to see where Parisians vacation when money's no object.
Trouville delivers authenticity, working fishing port, lower prices, and relaxed vibe. Locals outnumber tourists even in summer. Seafood comes straight from boats. Streets feel lived-in rather than curated. Choose Trouville if you prefer genuine coastal town over resort fantasy.
Reality: visit both. They're 20 minutes apart on foot. Spend morning in one, afternoon in the other. Most visitors prefer Deauville's beach and boardwalk but Trouville's restaurants and prices.
Practical Tips
What to Bring
- Beach essentials - towel, sunscreen, swimsuit (if you're brave about cold water)
- Windbreaker or light jacket - coastal wind blows even on warm days
- Cash - some beach vendors and small restaurants don't take cards
- Reusable water bottle
- Book or entertainment for beach lounging
- Remember you're carrying everything on the train - pack light
When to Visit
July-August brings warmest weather, longest days, and biggest crowds. Beaches pack with Parisians escaping city heat. Hotels and restaurants fill up. Book everything ahead.
May-June and September offer pleasant weather with fewer people. Water stays cold but air temperature works for beach walks and outdoor dining.
October-April means off-season quiet. Many restaurants and hotels close or reduce hours. Weather turns gray and windy. But if you want atmospheric coastal walks without crowds, winter Normandy delivers.
Food and Drink
Seafood dominates menus - mussels, oysters, sole, whatever's fresh. Quality beats Paris prices in Trouville; Deauville charges resort premiums.
Normandy cider appears everywhere - dry, sweet, or sparkling. Calvados (apple brandy) makes a traditional digestif. Local cheeses include Pont-l'Évêque and Camembert.
Budget travelers: buy picnic supplies at markets or supermarkets. Eating on the beach costs nothing beyond food.
With Kids
Sandy beaches suit families better than rocky coasts. Kids can build sandcastles, paddle in shallows, run on boardwalks. Deauville's beach cabins and colorful umbrellas create fun photo ops.
Cold water limits swimming. Bring beach toys and activities beyond water play.
Both towns stay family-friendly despite Deauville's luxury reputation. Playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants exist.
Comparing to Other Normandy Coast Destinations
vs Etretat
Etretat delivers dramatic white cliffs and natural arches - spectacular scenery but rocky beaches. Deauville-Trouville offer sandy shores and resort amenities but less dramatic landscapes. Choose based on whether you want nature spectacle or beach relaxation.
vs Honfleur
Honfleur charms with its historic harbor, art history (Impressionists painted here), and medieval architecture. No beach. Deauville-Trouville prioritize seaside over history. Honfleur feels more cultural; Deauville-Trouville feel more recreational.
vs Rouen
Rouen sits inland with Gothic cathedral, Joan of Arc history, and medieval streets. Zero beach. Completely different experience. Rouen suits history buffs; Deauville-Trouville suit beach seekers.
