We have prepared a list of all the original activities to do in Deauville and its surroundings. On the menu we have: beach, stroll, visit, shooting, thrills…
Table of Contents
Indoor Games / Sports
Indoor Free Fall Simulator
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We have all experienced that strange sensation of free-fall when falling asleep. But would we be able to experience it again in real life?
It’s a question we don’t often ask ourselves, but here you are given the opportunity to think about it, because in Deauville it is indeed possible to repeat this experience.
A gigantic glass tube (ideal for souvenir photos that your parents will be happy to stick on the fridge) and a blowing system: this is what this activity is based on.
It’s up to you to jump…
Booking and further information (website in French)
Escape Game at the Hangar à Énigmes
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A must on every list of unusual activities: escape games!
If you like to test your analytical skills, quick wits and strategy, this is the activity made for you.
Immerse yourself in the world of your choice and become a wizard, a prisoner, a robber, a musician…
An immersive activity that will be perfect for your family and will definitely be carved in your mind!
Booking and further information (website in French)
Virtual Reality
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For all the jocks out there who don’t want to get wet, but who also want a thrill, we’ve found the perfect activity.
Come and test your fears, your agility and your reflexes during a 100% geeky experience in the world of Virtual Reality. Here you will be able to familiarise yourself with VR headsets through several high-definition scenarios. For one hour, live, feel, smell, and above all let yourself be carried away.
Booking and further information (website in French)
Axe throwing at the Valhalla Tavern
6 avenue de la Grande plaine, 14760 Bretteville sur Odon
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Calling to all Games of Thrones fans.
Did you know that the Normans were descendants of the Vikings?
In the Valhalla Tavern (Viking paradise) you can, of course, enjoy cold cuts and beer but not only so. The main attraction of the establishment is the axe throwing game.
The aim is simple: to throw the axe into the target.
In practice, however, it is a different matter (this is not a small butcher’s cleaver but an authentic axe that is much heavier than you would think).
A real Viking tavern that will instantly transport you to your favorite series.
Booking and further information (website in French)
Casino Barrière Deauville
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Mesrine, Un Homme et une Femme, La Vérité si je Mens, Coco avant Chanel, Mon Roi…
Rather than a mere casino, this place is a symbol of French cinema and a must for a trip in Normandy.
Come and tease the greatest poker or roulette players in this legendary place. Don’t forget the dress code: classy and chic.
Outdoor Games / Sports
Skydiving
Are you an adrenaline junkie? Those for whom “life” goes with “extreme”?
Then don’t wait any longer and book a parachute jump over the Normandy coast. The activity lasts four hours and you will of course be accompanied by a professional parachutist. An extraordinary experience with a superb view of the D-Day landing beaches.
Booking and further information (website in French)
Porsche Cayman S 718 Driving Experience
Attention to all car enthusiasts: Normandy also has a little dose of adrenaline for you.
A 2.5-hour driving course on the emblematic car of Deauville: the Porsche. The course is open to all, even beginners. An ideal activity for a sunny day.
Booking and further information (website in French)
Ferrari 458 Driving Course
Would you prefer to drive a Ferrari? (if so, then you have very good taste).
Well, that is also possible. Drive at full speed on the circuit of Pont-L’evêque and take advantage of the moment to familiarise yourself with this exceptional vehicle.
A sporty-chic activity emblematic of the area.
Booking and further information(website in French)
Breath of Fresh Air
Deauville and the equestrian world
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When we talk about Deauville, we can’t forget about horse riding.
as the world capital of the equestrian world, this town is often the scene of many international congresses.
In Deauville, you can try your hand at sports betting at the superb Hippodrome de Clairefontaine (website in French) or you can test your agility on a ride along the beach (an activity accessible to all as the guides adapt to the level of each).
A breath of fresh air is guaranteed.
The little extra of the racecourse: activities for your children. And yes, since, until further notice, gambling is reserved for the over 18s, the racecourse offers to pamper your children so that you can fully enjoy the races. We love this little attention.
Retro sidecar tour
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Do traditional tours lull you to sleep? Perfect, this one will blow your mind.
Explore the flowery coastline in a retro sidecar.
Feel the sea breeze on your face, enjoy the view as your driver takes you along the coast, stopping along the way to admire the historic monuments and ocean views.
An ideal activity for your family. Great memories are guaranteed.
Booking and further information
Sidecar excursion to the landing beaches
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The longest day.
You too have already seen 100 times this cinematic masterpiece about the night of June 6th, 1944?
Did you know that this film was partly shot on the Normandy beaches?
If you are a fan of the film, you are probably also a fan of history, so the Normandy coast is definitely fit for you.
This activity is as fun as it is rewarding. In a sidecar, come and visit and learn about a great part of French history in a beautiful setting.
Booking and further information
Photoshoot on the beach
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You can’t visit such a beautiful place without thinking about bringing back some photos, can you? So to satisfy your parents, grandparents and to fill your frames (which have remained without a photo since you bought them) don’t miss this photo workshop.
This professional photographer offers you a shooting in the most beautiful streets of Deauville (which he knows like the back of his hand).
Have your portrait taken on the planks!
Booking and further information (website in French)
Rent a boat (with or without a skipper)
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For all those who think Normandy is not about greenery, cheese and apples, but rather about beaches, sea and boats: here is an activity that will meet your expectations.
A trip to the sea of the Normandy coast. Whether you are experienced or not, this activity is within everyone’s reach as some rental companies also offer the services of a professional skipper.
This is an opportunity to admire Normandy and its superb landscapes from a different angle.
A word of advice: make sure you charge the batteries in your phones and cameras so that you don’t miss a moment of the show.
The icing on the cake: off the coast of Normandy, it is not uncommon to see a few dolphins, perhaps you will have the chance to capture the moment on film.
Booking and further information
Gastronomy and Local Products
Cooking classes in a charming house in Deauville
If you like good local cuisine and if you have a creative soul, don’t wait any longer and discover this incredibly Norman workshop.
You will have two hours to compose two dishes in a country house about ten minutes from the town centre. Aperitif and wine tasting are included. An experience not to be missed, if you are passing through Deauville.
Booking and further information (website in French)
Normandy: private one-day gastronomic tour
If you want to discover in depth all the treasures that Normandy has to offer then don’t wait any longer and go on this private guided tour.
You can explore, learn, admire and taste Normandy and its surroundings. From cheese to William the Conqueror to the D-Day landings, the region will have no more secrets to you.
An experience that will awaken all your senses.
Booking and further information
Brew your own craft beer
Normandy is a land of history and culture, but also and above all a land of gastronomy and fine palates. Here, good restaurants are at every corner, but the Normans like to keep their secrets to themselves, so it is rare to find any craft activities. However, we have found a small craft brewery activity that is 100% Norman.
Come and wake up the little chemist in you in this handmade workshop.
In front of your own vat, you can discover the secrets of this art, the ingredients, the styles, the brewing methods…
The little extra: 3 weeks after the creation of your beer you can come and collect it (10L of beer made by you; enough to impress your friends and family)!
Booking and further information (website in French)
Make your own Calvados
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Let’s continue with the gourmet options! As we know, Normandy is a land of hospitality with a rich gastronomy. So if you’re staying in the area, it’s essential to taste and discover the local products.
In this workshop, you will be able to discover the secrets of Calvados (the drink that is emblematic of the region, not the department, just keep up), a delicious apple liqueur. This activity includes a visit to the wash house, the boiler house, the press and the stills.
Of course, you will learn more about all the steps involved in creating a good Norman Calvados the old-fashioned way. Calvados will no longer hold any secrets for you.
Booking and further information (website in French)
The Calvados Père Magloire Experience
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In the heart of Normandy, in Pont L’Evêque to be exact (yes, like the cheese), the Calvados Père Magloire Experience is an attraction that will require all your senses. Immerse yourself in the world of apples, from the local orchards to the distillery and the cellars.
History, visits, making: as the name suggests, it is a real experience.
A bar area ends the visit, along with an expert guide, teaching the art of tasting in three stages: eye, nose and palate.
Booking and further information
Body Treatments and Relaxation
Private spa, champagne and mignardises
Looking for a place to relax with your soul mate? Come and try this real romantic interlude in the very heart of Deauville.
Here, it is possible to privatise a spa for two hours. Sauna, hammam, lounge area and the big plus – champagne and delicacies – are included.
Enough to impress your sweetheart.
Booking and further information (website in French)
Thalasso Deauville by Algotherm
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Another must-see on the beaches of Normandy and has been so for centuries: the thalassotherapy.
You can find all sorts of treatments, massages and techniques to relax, re-energize and take care of your body. Vitality, energy, beauty, detox and slimming…
Thalassotherapy is not just for the elderly, there are programs for everyone.
Whether you choose to do group or individual treatments, whether you spend a weekend or just half a day, don’t wait any longer to take care of yourself. Normandy will be your relaxing bubble.
The big plus, and this is perhaps where the originality lies, the thalasso offers treatments specially dedicated to children: ‘Premier Massage’ treatment, ‘Jolie Frimousse’ treatment, ‘Massage Éveil’ (for babies), and even a Tandem child/parent treatment.
Booking and further information
History and Cultural Heritage
Visit the Strassburger villa
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Classified as a Historical Monument since 1975, this imposing Norman regionalist-style residence was commissioned by Baron Henri de Rothschild.
Owned by the American newspaper publisher Ralph Beaver Strassburger since 1924, the villa was bequeathed by his heirs to the town of Deauville in 1980.
A return to the past in the heart of this villa that has remained intact. Indeed, everything has been preserved as it was: its furniture, its decoration, its knick-knacks, its numerous paintings of horses and its caricatures which testify to the parties of the time. Let yourself be carried away and discover all the secrets and mysteries of the villa during the guided tour.
History Gossip: The villa was built in 1907 on the site of the Ferme du Coteau, which had belonged to the family of the novelist Gustave Flaubert since 1837.
Booking and further information
Tia Terra Ceramic
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To those of you who love the movie Ghost, to those of you who have dreamed of intertwining your hands with Demi Moore’s. We have good news and bad news (for once). The bad news is that Demi Moore is apparently shooting in a far away place and couldn’t come to Deauville…
The good news is that you can still learn the basics of pottery, ceramics and painting just 5 minutes away from the beach. Who knows, maybe you will find a new passion.
Booking and further information
Dramatised visit – Histoires De Pêqueux
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Pêqueux? What is this? “Pêqueux” in Norman dialect means “fisherman”.
Histoire de Pêqueux is a theatrical and humorous visit of Trouville-sur-Mer (Deauville’s little sister). These comedians will tell you the fabulous stories of the Norman country from the Vikings to the present day through sketches and scenes.
A fun way to introduce your little family to the region.
Booking and further information (website in French)
D’Day Experience
2 Village de l’Amont, 50500 Saint-Côme-du-Mont, France
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A 1.5-hour drive that is worth the detour, believe me.
Whether you are a history buff, a thrill-seeker or simply curious, this activity has become a must when visiting Normandy.
The D’Day Experience is first and foremost a museum dedicated to the Second World War and more particularly to the landing on June 6th, 1944.
The big plus is that it offers an incredible experience mixing education and entertainment following the principle of “edutainment“.
From the debriefing of Lieutenant-Colonel Wolverton to the boarding of a real C-47 (which took part in dropping American paratroopers on the Cotentin), you will have the opportunity to relive each stage of the flight with disconcerting accuracy.
The faint of heart should abstain: sound effects, olfactory stimuli, 3D appearances, shaking simulator… Everything has been done so that you can put yourself in the place of an American soldier.
You will no longer see war in the same way…
The little extra: The D’Day Experience also has another museum: the Dead’s Man Corner Museum (which is attached to the hangar). This small Norman house was the scene of a bloody 3-day battle between American and German soldiers. Inside, everything has remained intact (impacts and stigmata).
Once again: this is not for the faint of heart.
Booking and further information
Ride in a 1940 Dodge WC
Parc d’activités La Fourchette, Catz – 50500 Carentan les Marais, France
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A sunny day, an exceptional vehicle, beautiful landscapes and a little bit of history (it doesn’t hurt).
Climb aboard this 1940’s DODGE WC military vehicle for a tour of small country roads.
Throughout the visit, the guide will share his passion for the battle of the hedges and will explain why the military had so much difficulty in the Normandy blocage.
A little extra: the €30 ticket includes the tour in a Dodge and an entrance to the Normandy Victory Museum.
Booking and further information
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
