Seaside serenity

Channel at low tide. Deauville.

Deauville is a small town on the northern coast of France in Normandy. At first glance it may seem too bourgeois, but that's what I like about it - it has that je ne sais quoi that translates into class and subtlety and the serenity of a vacation at the seaside without the luring tourists around you.

Renowned for its very rich visitors in the past, Deauville has a Casino and many imposing hotels and mansions on the waterfront. But that's not what makes its beauty, it would all be in vain without the never ending beach and the lighthouse. In fact, you already caught a glimpse of this marvelous beach and of its lighthouse a few weeks ago, in Hot weather... The beach is huge, but treacherous - the tide can be very quick and take off with... let's say your shoes (that's what happened to me!) or other belongings you might hold dear! The weather is generally not very hot and neither is the water, but just imagine waking up early in the morning to go for a walk on the golden sand, wind fluttering in your ears and not a soul around you for miles.

Beach. Deauville.

Waterfront mansions. Deauville.

The food is great, there are some typical dishes you may want to try, but the fresh fish and seafood are the real treat. The locals are very open and friendly and you will have a great time in one of the small restaurants.

My favourite part of Deauville other than the beach? The channel you have to cross in order to get from the train station to the Casino and the beach. In the morning you just cross it by foot, but in the afternoon you might have a problem with that - a boat would be a better option, unless you're the swimming type ;)

Channel at low tide. Deauville.

Channel at high tide. Deauville.