Deauville & Trouville

Here's the second part of the post I promised! 

While visiting the coast of Normandy, our next stop brought us to Trouville-sur-Mer, the favourite place of the French aristocracy before the first WW and still a popular destination today, especially among the Parisians. Once a fisherman village, nowadays a tourist attraction... Fortunately Trouville hasn't lost all of its charm, especially if you fancy a long seaside walk and beautiful villas. You can find a short history of Trouville here.

The fishermen used to live in small colourful houses...

...while the upper class enjoyed beautiful hotels and villas.

The signs lead to the famous seaside walk, les Planches.

The villas are impressive indeed.

Trouville Palace, built in 1910.

After an ice-cream and a long walk along the beach, we decided to have a look at our third destination for the day, Deauville. Trouville borders Deauville, so we simply drove across the bridge and we were already there. Deauville is probably the best known seaside resort in Normandy and most certainly one of the most famous ones in all of France. Nicknamed the Parisian Riviera - a very popular destination among the high society - it houses a Grand Casino, a horse race course, luxurious hotels and villas... And the Deauville American Film Festival, bringing there loads of international movie stars every year.

The enormous Hôtel Royal...

...and Normandy Barrière, a 5-star seaside hotel and its gardens.

The Deauville beach in the evening.

Each of the beach closets is dedicated to an actor.

Promenade des Planches, dating from 1923.

I have to say I preferred Trouville to Deauville which, with its overly luxurious feel, big roads and lack of authenticity, left me rather unimpressed. However, if you're in the neighbourhood, both of them do deserve a visit - just don't go there in the middle of the summer season...!