[Photos from trip in May 2010]

Only an hour and ten minute train ride out of Paris Gare Saint Lazare and you’re on the seaside in Deauville. On the English channel, Deauville is a precious town separated by a little river to Trouville. Both are filled with little shops and restaurants along the quai with parked boats and the sound of waves. It’s perfect in the springtime or if you want to take a pop in the water, summer is ideal. It’s chic atmosphere is also cozy with just about every sense of relaxtion you can think of. Along the water and the quais are tini restaurants with outdoor seating with savory crêpes and moules-frîtes to suit your fancy. But also try some Calvados, just for the sake of being in Normandy.

You can take a little boat from Trouville to Deauville (the other side of the marina) which takes about 10 minutes, but it’s fun if you don’t feel like walking all the way around it. The Deauville side is filled with high end shops and cafés and the likes. On the water is also the ever-so-famous Casino of Deauville, where you can hit the slots with a gin tonic on the seaside where the Deauville American Film Festival is held annually. For more info on Deauville in general, click here.

When I went last spring, we stayed in the Hotel Le Fer A Cheval and it was absolutely precious and right in the town center. It was the perfect weekend trip outside of Paris. Tickets can be anywhere from 8-20euros one-way, and you can get them on the SNCF website. Only an hour and a half and you’re at the seaside!