Last updated: January 2026.
Sun-soaked beaches, Belle Époque charm, and a dash of Parisian glamour: enter Deauville stage left! One of Normandy’s most elegant seaside escapes, this gorgeous town is famous for its wooden boardwalk, film festival, and colourful beach umbrellas, and made a great destination for exploring Normandy with kids.
Packing up the car with all our baby gear and more snacks than our village corner shop, we took the Eurotunnel to France for a break with our 6-month-old and our dog Cleo. I’d been looking at Normandy for a while before I settled on Deauville as our destination, wanting to combine somewhere under 3 hours drive from Calais with a beach, all the amenities we now need close by with a baby, and some interesting French culture and delicious food to devour.
What we found was a destination that ticked all the boxes: a Blue Flag beach for safe swimming, a long pram-friendly promenade, plenty of fresh food, and dog-friendly outings so Cleo could enjoy the trip too.
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In this guide I’ve shared our itinerary, tips for travelling to Deauville with a baby, and a taste of the town’s unique character.
Getting to France on the Eurotunnel with a baby
We opted to drive via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, which couldn’t have been more straightforward. The check-in process was quick, boarding was simple, and the 35-minute crossing meant Rory barely noticed we’d moved countries. I particularly love the flexiblity of the Eurotunnel – a delay on the M25 had us arriving after our booked train departed but we were automatically put onto the next available one, and on the way home we arrived to Calais a couple of hours early and similarly were booked onto the next one (getting home early is always a bonus!). A tip for parents: while there are baby changing facilities in the Euroshuttle terminal building, there’s none on the trains themselves, so be prepared to do a change in the car if needed (not ideal when the boot is likely to be packed!).
If you want to get the Eurostar or fly, we’d recommend hiring a car in France with Auto Europe, which compares all the major rental companies for the best price.
Why visit Normandy?
Normandy is, of course, most famous for the D-Day landings of 1944, but its history stretches back centuries, playing a key role as a hub for trade and fishing. By the 19th century, seaside towns like Deauville became fashionable retreats for Parisian high society, who came for sea bathing, horse racing, and casino nights. That glamour still lingers – it’s hard to pin point it (although the casino still stands!), but you’ll see what I mean if you visit.
The restaurant and bar prices definitely make the most of this reputation, but that aside, it’s got a lovely rustic charm to it and the distinctive half-timbered architecture makes for many a nice photo. Walking through these Normandy towns feels like stepping into a postcard, and in Deauville you can add in many chic boutiques and bakeries tucked into historic façades.
Things to do in Deauville with kids: our 3-day itinerary
Day 1: promenades and plages
We started with a stroll along Deauville’s famous promenade, Les Planches, a 1920s wooden boardwalk lined with beach cabins named after Hollywood stars. The Blue Flag beach here is spotless, and the water was JUST about warm enough for a leg dip – although it’s close to the major port of Le Havre, so I was surprised it had Blue Flag status.
Cleo loved trotting along the boardwalk (it’s dog friendly), and while dogs aren’t allowed on the main beach during the day, they’re welcome before 10am and after 7pm – perfect for a golden-hour walk.
Day 2: Honfleur harbour
A short drive away, Honfleur is all cobbled streets and colourful buildings wrapped around a picturesque harbour. We had a leisurely seafood lunch and hit a pretty big milestone: R’s first time eating away from home in a restaurant high chair! He only had some puree out of a pouch but it was nice to see a future where we can all eat together. If you’re visiting Honfleur with a pram, be prepared for some bumpy cobblestones – and we had our Egg pram given we’d driven, not even our trusty but less sturdy travel pram.
For another evening stroll, just 10 minutes or so in the other direction from Deauville is Villerville, a charming fishing village with a quieter, more rugged stretch of coastline.
Day 3: markets, merry-go-rounds, and Trouville-sur-Mer
Our last day was spent exploring Deauville’s centre, browsing the market stalls (cheese lovers, prepare to lose all self-control), and taking R for a ride on the merry-go-round. From there, we wandered over the bridge to Trouville-sur-Mer, which has a more relaxed, bohemian vibe than its polished neighbour. We ended the day with a drink by the beach, watching the waves roll in.
Where to stay in Normandy
Normandy is huge (it makes up 5% of the total area of France and is bigger than Wales in square metres!) so there’s plenty of options to base yourself in. We chose to stay just outside of Deauville in an Airbnb in Saint-Martin-aux-Chartrains, in a traditional Normandy gîte with a large enclosed garden which was ideal for Cleo to run around in and for al fresco dinners once R was asleep.
But if you’re looking for accommodation, I’d recommend staying in Deauville itself, Trouville-sur-Mer, or in Honfleur, to maximise being by the sea and close to bars and restaurants.
If you stay in the area, one of our favourite discoveries was Oh My Pizz, a local pizza place that not only delivers but also has innovative fresh pizza vending machines dotted in villages surrounding Deauville. We also spotted a fresh oyster dispenser – proof that Normandy takes its seafood seriously! Local supermarkets had fantastic fresh produce (including plenty of France’s famed rotisserie chicken), making it easy to eat well without cooking from scratch every night. We went to the large Carrefour in Touques which had everything we needed.
Frequently asked questions about Normandy and Deauville with kids
Yes, Normandy is excellent for families. The region offers Blue Flag beaches, charming towns like Deauville and Honfleur, historic D-Day sites, wildlife parks, and easy access from the UK via Eurotunnel or ferry. Many beaches have lifeguards, promenades are pram-friendly, and accommodation is family-oriented with gardens and outdoor space. The region combines beach relaxation with French culture and history.
Yes, Deauville beach is a Blue Flag beach, meaning it meets high standards for water quality, safety, and facilities. The beach has lifeguards in summer, the sandy shoreline is gentle, and the famous wooden boardwalk (Les Planches) is completely pram-friendly. The beach is well-maintained and perfect for families with babies and young children.
The easiest way to reach Deauville from the UK is by car via Eurotunnel (Folkestone to Calais, then 2.5-3 hours driving). The Eurotunnel crossing takes just 35 minutes and is very baby-friendly with flexible bookings. Alternatively, take a ferry to various French ports. There’s no direct train from UK, but you could take Eurostar to Paris then onward trains to Deauville.
The best day trips from Deauville include Honfleur (charming harbour town 15 mins away), Trouville-sur-Mer (relaxed beach town across the bridge), Cerza Safari Park near Lisieux (45 mins, great for animal-loving children), D-Day landing beaches (75 mins west), and Rouen (1h 45m for Gothic cathedrals and medieval streets). Mont-Saint-Michel is 2.5 hours away for a longer day trip.
A long weekend (3-4 days) is perfect for Deauville, allowing time to explore the beach and boardwalk, visit neighbouring Honfleur and Trouville, and enjoy leisurely meals and market visits. With a baby, this pace allows for nap times and flexibility. A full week would let you add day trips to D-Day beaches, safari parks, or Mont-Saint-Michel.
Why stay in Deauville with kids (and dogs!)
- The boardwalk is pram-friendly and offers a relaxing way to end the day.
- The long Blue Flag beach is sandy and has lifeguards in summer.
- Dog-friendly hours on the beach mean four-legged family members can join in.
- With plenty of day trip options nearby, you can spend your days in quaint harbours or bustling markets, if you can’t do more than a few hours on the beach.
- Accommodation options with outdoor space are easy to find and really quite reasonable.
More things to do in Normandy with kids: Normandy day trips from Deauville
One of the best things about basing yourself in Deauville is how easy it is to explore more of Normandy. Here’s some of our suggestions:
- Families with animal-loving children will love the Cerza Safari Park near Lisieux (around 45 minutes’ drive). It’s one of the biggest wildlife parks in France, with over 1,500 animals, walking trails, and even a small train to help little legs see it all.
- History enthusiasts are spoiled for choice. Head west to the D-Day landing beaches (such as Omaha, Gold and Utah – with the first two approx 75 minutes’ away) to explore moving memorials, bunkers, and museums. In the same area you have Arromanches-les-Bains, which is home to the D-Day Museum and remnants of the Mulberry Harbours used during the 1944 landings.
- For a completely different flavour of Normandy, Rouen (around 1 hour 45 minutes away) offers towering Gothic cathedrals, medieval streets, and Joan of Arc history.
- And if you don’t mind a longer drive (about 2 and a half hours), Mont-Saint-Michel is one of France’s most iconic sights.
We feel Deauville is a brilliant base for exploring Normandy, with its mix of walkable classy seaside relaxation and Normandy history and charm. Despite only having been in ÃŽle de Ré a few weeks earlier, it felt really quite different – a reminder that France is a country with many surprises.
Have you been to Normandy? We’d love to know what else we should be including in our must-see sights, so get in touch via the comments or on Instagram.
Our next adventure isn’t far behind, so see you soon.
Allie, Jack & R (and this time, Cleo too!) x
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