Normandy, France

Trouville
The River Touques marks the start of the Cote Fleurie a fashionable part of the Normandy Coast due to its proximity to Paris. It was its golden sandy beach that firmly established Trouville as a tourist destination. A fishing port the quays along the Touques river still service fishing boats. Behind the fishing boats on the Quaie Fernard the Office du Tourisme can supply information on Trouville and the surrounding area.
Trouville was founded around this port, but now spreads up the hill behind. The Montebello Museum shows off engravings, paintings and watercolours by Boudin and others. On the headland between the beach and the mouth of the river Trouville's Casino offers entertainment with those tempted by its 200 slot machines or roulette wheels. Just across the Touques the resort of Deauville and its marinas full of yachts can plainly be seen.

Deauville
Deauville is one of the most fashionable destinations on this coast. It is renowned for its luxury and entertainment aimed at the rich and famous.

Deauville really comes alive in July and August. Horse racing takes place alternately on La Touques (flat) and Clairefontaine (flat and steeplechase). Furthermore the International Yearling Sales are held at the end of each August.

Port Deauville is a large marina hosting 900 yachts nestling between the mouth of the River Touques on the East and the vast expanse of sandy beach to the West. In season it is possible to take trips out to sea on pleasure boats from here.
The town is well supplied with hotels for all budgets as well as the Pompeian Baths and the Soliel Bar, the haunt of many of the towns famous visitors. There is of course the obligatory Casino as well as golf courses and numerous other recreational activities. Deauville has earned itself the name Plage Fleurie.

Following the road out of Deauville a number of attractive although less luxurious resorts are reached.
Bénerville and Blonville-sur-Mer form a single resort where Mount Canisy slopes into the sea. Take your vehicle to the left up the hill in front of Bénerville church and head up towards the top of Mount Canisy. From the summit there are spectacular views from La Heve Cape to the mouth of the Orne Estruary. Also worth a visit is the ruins of the guns emplacements on Mount Canisy. Guided tours are available on Sundays.
Further Westwards still, Villers-sur-mer greets you with a 5 kilometre long sandy beach and a Casino. Some of the houses on the seafront have been constructed on top of old German Atlantic Wall blockhouses. At the western end of Villers-sur-mer the coast continues by way of the Falaise du Vaches Noire ( Black Cow Cliffs). This part of the coast is accessible only on foot but the cliff are full of fossils.

<Houlgate
The road leaves the coast and after a short drive inland reaches Houlgate. Flowers and shady trees fill the gardens of the houses lining the avenues leading down to the beach.
Tourist Information is available on the Boulevard de Belges opposite a fountain that looks like a burst water main. Walks to the Vache Noire Cliffs can also be made from here.
Continuing our journey west, the old industrial town of Dives-sur-mer is gradually being transformed into a modern tourist resort. A new pleasure port "Port Guillaume" has been built with 600 yacht berths, a sailing school and yacht club. It was from here that William the Conqueror's Invasion fleet set sail on the first leg of its journey to England in 1066.

Cabourg
Crossing the River Dives, our last stop on this itinerary Cabourg covers the flat land in front of you. It was laid out symmetrically around the Casino and Grand Hotel. Another fine sandy beach fronts the town. It was here in the Grand Hotel that Marcel Proust wrote part of "A la recherche du temps perdu".