Deauville Is the Hamptons of Paris

This charming French resort town is a stone's throw from the capital city, and chock-full of similar attractions that mirror New York’s ultimate go-to weekend destination

Written by Leslie Anne Wiggins

Sun, sand, shopping, and plenty of rosé—Deauville, the charming French resort town that’s a short road trip from Paris, has much in common with the Hamptons, New York City’s go-to weekend destination. Deauville was developed as a seaside holiday town and founded in 1860, then grew with the 1862 addition of the Hippodrome de Deauville-La Touques horse-racing track. Since then it’s served well-heeled Parisians and Londoners as a convenient beach retreat just far enough away from city life.

The wide white sandy beach is planted with pretty, colorful parasols (a fixture since 1875), and the boardwalk is spotted with chic cafes serving up fresh seafood and, of course, wine.

Built in 1912, the grand Monte Carlo–style Casino Barrière de Deauville sits in the center of town, and just down the road is where, a year later, Coco Chanel opened her second boutique (after the brand’s now-legendary 31 rue Cambon location in Paris, then focusing on hats), where she sold sportswear for women. Today’s luxe retail offerings include Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Ralph Lauren, as well as great antique and gourmet shops. There are bicycles and boats for hire, lawn tennis, golf, swimming, and horseback riding for those interested in more than taking it easy sunning, sipping, and shopping.

At the end of each summer, the town hosts the Deauville American Film Festival. Established in 1975, the week-long event attracts major celebrities, a lucky few of whom are commemorated with their names along the boardwalk’s bathing cabins.

While the Hamptons are better known for house shares rather than hotels, Deauville hosts several glamorous hotels, including three Barrière properties, but they too have residences for rent. Whether you’re staying for a holiday weekend or the entire summer season, there’s so much French seaside beauty to bask in, even from underneath a parasol.

Normandy Barrière

Les Planches

Deauville