AT SEA : 5 WATER ACTIVITIES TO DISCOVER THE COASTLINE
Take to the sea! With nearly 40 km of coastline, the Côte Fleurie offers a succession of breathtaking landscapes mixing fine sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and marinas. Aboard a Deauville Yacht Club sailboat, on the Gulf Stream II river shuttle to Le Havre, at the helm of the old sailing ship "François Monique" departing from Trouville-sur-Mer or standing on a paddleboard in front of the Vaches Noires cliffs, take advantage of the exceptional spots to indulge in your favorite nautical activities and contemplate the most beautiful Norman beaches.
1. On board the Trouville-sur-Mer ferry
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A must-see attraction since the construction of Deauville in 1860, the Trouville ferry embarks passers-by on both sides of the banks of the Touques between Deauville and Trouville. Under a blazing sun or in the rain, you are warmly welcomed by "Manu du bac", as the locals like to call him. On board, we talk about the markets, the villas, the beach, the entertainment, the preserved environment of the cities and shopping. Anecdote: it is the shortest crossing in France with 220 meters in three minutes!
When does it run? Every day, every 5 minutes at high tide; at low tide, a footbridge is lowered between the Casino de Trouville quay and the Touques peninsula.
2. By crossing the Estuary between Deauville-Trouville and Le Havre
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Take a seat aboard the Gulf Stream II and let yourself be guided on the waves of the Estuary to reach Le Havre along the Normandy coast. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this city seduces by its cultural heritage and its unique architecture imagined by the visionary Auguste Perret. As soon as you arrive, walk along the quays to the André Malraux Museum of Modern Art. Impressionism is widely represented, making this museum the second most important collection in France, after the Orsay Museum in Paris. Then stroll through the Perret district and head for Le Volcan, a cultural space and national stage that now houses the Oscar Niemeyer library. A few steps from here, don't miss theSaint Joseph Church and its New York skyscraper look, with its octagonal lantern tower and its 6500 colored stained glass windows. End your day on the pebble beach, lined with restaurants, bars and colorful huts.
3. On a sailboat during a trip at sea
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Embark on a sailboat with the Deauville Yacht Club and set sail off the coast of Deauville for a two-hour trip to discover the world of sailing. Whatever your age or level, led by Malko, an expert in the field, you will sail past the beaches of the Pays d'Auge and the cliffs of the Roches Noires - Pointe du Heurtaccompanied by sea birds. You will also be able to admire the estuary of the Seine and its bay between the Cap de la Hève and Bernières-sur-Mer, to make an incursion in the Touques to embrace Deauville and Trouville, to appreciate this so particular light which attracted the impressionist painters at the end of the day.
4. At the helm of an old sailing ship
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Take a seat on board the François Monique, a sloop built in Brest in 1935! Rehabilitated by the association "Petit Foc"the rig invites you to discover the pleasures of traditional sailing from Trouville-sur-Mer. Offshore, you can admire the Côte Fleurie and the Côte de Nacre and even participate in the maneuvers with the crew if you feel like it!
5. Standing on a paddle
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Taste the pleasure of gliding on a paddle! The stand-up paddle, also known as "SUP", is a real trend among water sports. At the edge of the beach, along the seaside villas, the Villers-Blonville Nautical Center offers an ideal spot to discover the coastline of Deauville and the Black Cow Cliffs during a group lesson or a solo ride. And as the saying goes "the more the merrier", rent a giant paddle and head off to Villers-sur-Mer with your friends or family for a guaranteed fun time.
Where to eat?
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Right on the Presqu'Île de la Touques, we settle down on the terrace of the restaurant Honorine to peacefully appreciate the view on the marina, away from the noise. The menu is mostly composed of dishes cooked with local and regional products. You will enjoy the foie gras marinated in Porto, the oysters from Asnelles and the cod steak with truffle cream.
Once you have crossed the pontoon, embark on La Pénichean authentic boat-restaurant moored between the masts of the pleasure boats docked in front of the marinas of Port-Deauville. A cruise atmosphere on board, you can enjoy a fish terrine as a starter, followed by a skate wing with hazelnut butter or a lacquered duck breast as a main course, to finish with a red fruit panacotta or a tarte tatin.
On the Place du Marché in the heart of Deauville, the Yacht Café invites you to take to the sea in a seaside decor made of wood, large ivory colored armchairs and striped cushions. Its menu offers a variety of snacks, breakfast formulas, gourmet pleasures at all hours and traditional brasserie dishes (fish, seafood, salads, pasta, burgers and meat).
Sleeping like a sailor
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In Villerville, the Domaine du Grand Bec is composed of rooms and independent cottages, nestled in a two-hectare park between a tennis court, a mini-farm, and, icing on the cake... the sea as far as the eye can see. A timeless place where you wake up with the sound of the waves.
On the seaside, the Villa Le Phare is ideally located in the heart of Deauville with a view of the two lighthouses and the Deauville-Trouville piers. This sailor's villa has been entirely redesigned and fitted out for weekend or vacation rentals. The garden and the interior spaces are adapted for stays with family or friends.
