Overlooking the English Channel on the Côte Fleurie, Trouville-sur-Mer is a historic fishing port directly across the Touques River from fashionable Deauville. It’s now a popular seaside resort, with its long stretch of sand, elegant villas and renowned gastronomy attracting holidaymakers from Paris and beyond.

Things to do

Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Museum of Villa Montebello, which exhibits artwork associated with Trouville-sur-Mer and its bathing culture. The villa was constructed in 1865 by Jean-Louis Célinsky de Zaremba and is particularly renowned for its collection by the French poster artist Raymond Savignac.

No trip to Trouville-sur-Mer is complete without spending a day on the Grande Plage, which is dotted with colourful beach umbrellas and cabanas available for rent. A breezy wooden boardwalk backs the sand and is lined with elegant villas and cafes serving authentic French fare. For seafood, visit the lively Marché aux Poissons, which is clustered with restaurants dishing up the daily catch.

A short walk across the Pont des Belges takes you to upmarket Deauville, which has been nicknamed the “Parisian Riviera” and famously hosts the American Film Festival each year. Stroll along the 1920s boardwalk lined with Art Deco bathing cabins and admire the Belle Epoque architecture of Villa Strassburger, which is elaborately decorated with early 20th-century furnishings and artwork.

Getting around

Deauville – Normandie Airport is a 15-minute drive from Trouville-sur-Mer and has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from Paris to the Trouville-Deauville railway station while buses travel throughout the city itself. The centre of Trouville-sur-Mer is compact enough to explore on foot.