Luxury Villasin Deauville

Two hours from Paris, Deauville has been the capital's favourite seaside resort since the 1860s: a vast sandy beach, the famous boardwalk of Les Planches, summer racing and half-timbered villas. Trouville's fishing port lies just across the river, and Honfleur and the orchards of the Pays d'Auge are a short drive away.

Deauville was conceived in the 1860s by the Duc de Morny as a resort for Parisian society, and it has never quite lost that sense of occasion. The town is built around a broad sweep of fine sand, the wooden promenade of Les Planches with its Art Deco bathing cabins, and streets of half-timbered villas in the Anglo-Norman style. Summer brings rows of colourful parasols along the beach, polo matches and the August race meeting at La Touques, when the town fills with owners, trainers and the international bloodstock world.

Yet Deauville is far from a one-season town. Early September belongs to the American Film Festival, held here since 1975, and autumn and winter weekends draw Parisians back for long beach walks, platters of oysters and fires lit early in the evening. Across the Touques river, Trouville-sur-Mer offers a more bohemian counterpoint, with its fish market, bustling brasseries and grand nineteenth-century villas that inspired painters from Eugène Boudin to Claude Monet.

Beyond the coast, the Pays d'Auge unfolds in a patchwork of apple orchards, stud farms and timbered manor houses, the home of calvados, cider and cheeses such as Pont-l'Évêque and Livarot. Honfleur's old harbour is twenty minutes away along the coast, and the D-Day beaches make a moving and memorable day out. Staying in a private villa here means room for family and friends, unhurried mornings and the sea a short stroll or drive away.

Our properties

• Villa Leclerc: A townhouse with its own indoor pool, steps from the Casino and the boardwalk of Deauville

Areas

• Deauville centre: The heart of the resort, between the beach and the racecourse: Les Planches, the casino, the covered market and the boutiques around Rue Eugène Colas, all within walking distance.
• Trouville-sur-Mer: Just across the Touques, a more authentic fishing town with a busy fish market, lively brasseries, a beach backed by grand nineteenth-century villas and a long artistic history.
• Honfleur: Twenty minutes along the coast, the painters' harbour of the Vieux Bassin, with its tall slate-fronted houses, the wooden church of Sainte-Catherine and a wealth of galleries.
• Pays d'Auge: The green hinterland of orchards, stud farms and half-timbered manors around Pont-l'Évêque and Beuvron-en-Auge, perfect for country drives and long lunches.

Getting there

By road, Deauville is about 200 kilometres from Paris, an easy two-hour drive along the A13 motorway; allow a little longer on Friday evenings and summer weekends. Direct trains run from Paris Saint-Lazare to Trouville-Deauville station in around two hours, with more departures at weekends and during the holidays. The station sits between the two towns, a few minutes from the beach.

For those flying in, Deauville-Normandie Airport, around 15 minutes from the town centre, welcomes private jets and seasonal flights. Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly are both between two and two and a half hours away by car, which makes a chauffeured transfer the most comfortable option after a long-haul flight. Helicopter transfers from the Paris region take under an hour.

Travelling from the United Kingdom, cross-Channel ferries arrive at Le Havre and Caen-Ouistreham, each less than an hour away; from Le Havre, the crossing of the Pont de Normandie is a spectacular introduction to the Seine estuary. Once here, a car is useful for exploring the Pays d'Auge, although Deauville, Trouville and the beach are easily enjoyed on foot or by bicycle.

Good to know

Deauville lives to the rhythm of Paris weekends and school holidays: July and August are the liveliest months, and the August racing season is the social high point of the year. Book restaurant tables for Friday and Saturday evenings in advance, whatever the season. The Normandy coast has some of the largest tides in Europe, so the beach can stretch for hundreds of metres at low tide; check the tide tables before planning a beach walk or a ride on the sand. The weather changes quickly, even in summer, so pack layers and a light jacket. Trouville's fish market is open every day for oysters, langoustines and the morning's catch, and the Deauville market brings local producers to the town centre several mornings a week. Calvados, cider, pommeau and the cheeses of the Pays d'Auge make the best souvenirs.

Frequently asked questions

How do we get to Deauville from Paris?

The drive takes around two hours. We can arrange a chauffeured car from your Paris address or either airport, or a helicopter transfer to Deauville-Normandie Airport in under an hour. Direct trains from Saint-Lazare also take about two hours.

Can the concierge reserve restaurants and racing events?

Yes. Our concierge team books restaurants, polo and festival events, and can arrange access to hospitality areas during the August race meeting, subject to availability.

Can we have a private chef or staff during our stay?

We can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or for your whole stay, as well as housekeeping, a nanny or a driver, so you can enjoy the house without organising a thing.

How discreet is a stay with MA VILLA?

Privacy is a priority: we keep your stay confidential, coordinate discreet arrivals and work only with trusted, vetted staff.

When should we book for August and the film festival?

The August racing season and early September are the most requested periods. We recommend securing your villa six to nine months ahead, and earlier for large houses or for the 15 August holiday weekend.

Is the sea warm enough for swimming?

The Channel is refreshing rather than warm, typically around 17 to 19°C in July and August, which makes for an invigorating swim on a sunny afternoon.

Is Deauville well suited to families?

Very much so: the wide beach, riding schools, sailing clubs and cycle paths make it easy with children, and Paris is close enough for a long weekend.