Weekend in Normandy: 8 epicurean experiences in the region

1. A night at the legendary Normandy

It's hard to plan an exceptional weekend in Normandy without stopping off at this Anglo-Normandy palace, which watches over the boards like a grand dame of natural elegance. Behind the iconic half-timbered façade of this Normandy hotel, the atmosphere, staged by interior designer Jacques Garcia, is subtly hushed, with just the right amount of understated luxury and refined detail: glossy wood, floral-printed corridors, signature furniture and a perfectly assumed retro charm.

When you choose to stay at this hotel in Deauville, you get a taste of the very essence of the town - and the comfort of your dreams: the bright rooms, some of which open onto the sea, the large indoor pool surrounded by half-timbered walls, the gentle service, and that feeling of being in a movie set... In the early morning, the light filters through the thick curtains and you come down to enjoy a generous breakfast before a barefoot stroll on the beach, a visit to the spa, lunch in the Deauville Belle Époque restaurant and a drink in the English club-style bar. Le Normandy offers a gentle, almost nostalgic experience, setting the tone for a successful weekend in Deauville!

Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville *****
271 keys including 40 suites, prices from 399 euros per night
38 rue Jean Mermoz, 14800 Deauville
hotelsbarriere.com/deauville/le-normandy

2. No weekend in Normandy without an oyster tasting by the sea

For a simple yet absolutely delicious moment, sit down facing the sea, a platter of (ultra-fresh) oysters in front of you. In Villerville, Deauville or Trouville, oyster bars are legion and offer exceptional tastings: shellfish, lemon, black bread, salted butter, a well-chosen glass... And of course, the Norman light as guest star. It's one of the region's most authentic experiences: fresh, cheerful and full of simplicity. Here are a few well-known addresses:

• Pillet-Saiter - La Halle aux Poissons in Trouville : the most authentic and iodized address in the area. You can enjoy ultra-fresh oysters right at the counter, in the vibrant atmosphere of the port. No fuss: the oysters are opened in front of you, the bread is crusty, the salted butter perfect. It's raw, maritime, delicious. Open 9am-7pm daily, Boulevard Fernand Moureaux, Trouville-sur-Mer.
  
  
• Le Vivier in Trouville-sur-Mer : for a lunch with your feet in the water, sea view guaranteed. Le Vivier serves fine oysters, both flat and special, in a luminous setting overlooking the beach. Continuous attentive service, selected white wines, impeccably prepared platter. 6 oysters, €19.50, rue Gustave Flaubert, Trouville-sur-Mer.
  
  

  

   

• Ciro's, on the Planches de Deauville, the chic seaside institution of the Côte Fleurie: you order your oysters on a terrace facing the sea, in a very elegant setting. The choice is wide and the quality impeccable. Oyster platters start at 5 euros a piece. Les Planches de Deauville, Deauville.
  
  

• L'Étoile des Mers in Deauville : Solid, fresh, simple and effective. No fancy tricks here: just good oysters and a harbor atmosphere, where you really feel you're by the sea. 74 rue Gambetta, Deauville
  
  
• La Brise Marine in Villerville : A simple little address with your feet in the sand, perfect for a sunset tasting. 4 chemin des Fondrières, Villerville.

3. A sporting moment with a sea view at Golf Barrière Deauville

For a Normandy weekend that combines sport and breathtaking views, a round of golf is a must! On the heights of Mont-Canisy, Golf Barrière Deauville unfurls 70 hectares of perfectly designed greenery, between the sea and the Normandy countryside. Created in 1929 by British architect Tom Simpson, then sublimated by champion Henry Cotton, the main course - the Diane Barrière, an 18-hole par 71 - is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful golf hotels in France. It boasts the rare charm of coastal golf: impeccable fairways bathed in light, fast greens, strategic bunkers, and the sea breeze adding just the right amount of challenge.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just curious, the experience is magical, with splendid views over Deauville, the bay and the rolling meadows of the Pays d'Auge. After a round of golf or an introductory course at the Barrière Golf Academy, you can enjoy lunch or a drink on the panoramic terrace of the clubhouse, one of the most beautiful in the area, overlooking the greens. Better still, continue your green escape by picking up a key from the Hôtel du Golf, a superb 4-star hotel adjacent to the course. It's the perfect place to take a breather after a round or a stroll! The outdoor pool, spa, tennis courts, terrace bar and cosy rooms are nestled in a lush, unpretentious setting.

Barrière Deauville Golf Club
Open Sunday to Thursday: 8am - 6:30pm, Friday and Saturday: 8am - 7pm
Caddy Store & Club-House: Sunday to Thursday: 8am - 7pm, Friday and Saturday: 8am - 7:30pm
hotelsbarriere.com/deauville/l-hotel-du-golf

Barrière l'Hôtel du Golf Deauville ****
170 keys including 11 suites, prices from 210 euros per night
Le Mont Canisy, 14800 Saint-Arnoult
hotelsbarriere.com/deauville/l-hotel-du-golf

4. VIP horse-drawn carriage rides in the Pays d'Auge

Private horse-drawn carriage rides through the rolling hills of the Pays d'Auge offer you the chance to rediscover the Normandy countryside from a chic, bucolic angle. Climb aboard an elegant horse-drawn carriage and let the horses set the pace as you discover typical villages, manor houses and apple meadows: a gentle, aristocratic experience.

Near Deauville/Trouville, La Calèche de Saint-Pierre organizes retro carriage rides in the Pays d'Auge, starting from the village of Saint-Pierre-Azif. 1h30 ride for 3/4 people in a private carriage: 65 euros.

For an even more complete experience, the Domaine du Firfol, near Lisieux, offers itineraries combining a visit to the stables with a presentation of the horses, and a carriage ride with an introduction to horse-raising methods. A tasting of local produce on the Terrasse du Firfol rounds off the experience. From 30 euros for 1h30 (children 20 euros). Remember to book in advance, especially in high season.

5. Four options for lunch on the Planches de Deauville

Another not-to-be-missed stopover for a radiant Normandy stay: lunch on Deauville's famous Planches. On the boardwalk lined with Art Deco cabins, Ciro's is a veritable institution and a must for a special treat. Fish of the day, shellfish, sole meunière, impeccable tartars and Italian specialties are served facing the sea, in a chic but not stuffy atmosphere, with the sound of the waves in the background.

Just a few yards away, the Bar de la Mer (designed by the ultra-creative Friedman & Versace architectural studio) sets the scene for a relaxed moment: colorful sofas, fresh salads, iodized plates, cocktails in the sun... It's the perfect break between two strolls or to cut short a lazy beach day.Two other refined options for lunch on the boards are also worth mentioning: Bar du Soleil, with its iconic seaside charm, and La Villa sur la Plage, for an intimate atmosphere and a gentle iodine interlude.

Ciro's
Menu: 80 euros, Cod fish and chips, 39 euros; Creamy linguine, roasted lobster, 68 euros.
Les Planches de Deauville, 14800 Deauville

Le Bar de la Mer
Tapas to share from 17 euros, oysters from 22 euros, main courses from 25 euros, cocktails from 15 euros.
Boulevard de la Mer, 14800 Deauville

Le Bar du Soleil
À la carte from 9 euros
Planches de Deauville, 14800 Deauville

La Villa sur la Plage
À la carte from 16 euros
1 avenue de la Terrasse, 14800 Tourgéville

6. Private tour of a Calvados distillery

For lovers of spirits, a private visit to a distillery in the Pays d'Auge region deserves its place on the program. You'll discover the orchards, the cellars, the stills... and end with a tasting of confidential vintages or rare cuvées. It's an authentic immersion in Normandy culture, upmarket but very much a "terroir" experience.

Several distilleries in the Pays d'Auge open their doors to curious visitors. At Christian Drouin, you'll discover a family estate nestled in orchards, with a tour of the press, stills and cellars, ending with a tasting of vintage calvados and pommeau. At Distillerie Père Magloire, the experience is more immersive, museum-style, tracing the history of calvados before a well-executed tasting workshop. Finally, Maison Busnel, one of Normandy's oldest distilleries, combines tradition and modernity in a warm setting, where the visit ends with a selection of elegant and sometimes surprising spirits.

Christian Drouin
Free visit, tasting from 45 euros per person and blending course from 110 euros per person.
1895 route de Trouville, 14130 Pont-l'Évêque

Distillerie Père Magloire
Visit and tasting 19 euros
13 route de Trouville, 14130 Pont-l'Evêque

Maison Busnel
Visit and tasting included 5 euros per person
Route de Lisieux, 27260 Cormeilles

7. A wellness break at the spa

It's time to relax and be pampered Normandy-style at the legendary Hôtel Normandy spa. On the program: Biologique Recherche facials, relaxing sculpting, a wellness trail, resting in the luminous alcoves... With its hushed decor and warm, gently enveloping atmosphere, the spa is the perfect refuge to unwind. You can spend an hour or an entire afternoon at this spa hotel in Normandy! From the swimming pool to the herbal tea room, every space in this privileged setting has been designed to slow down, soothe and regenerate. Please note: saunas, hammams and relaxation areas are reserved for hotel guests.

8. An exceptional dinner at Côté Royal

To round off this weekend in Normandy in style, treat yourself to a bit of gourmet refinement with dinner at Côté Royal, the restaurant at Le Royal Deauville, where precise, generous French cuisine is savored in a Belle Époque atmosphere under the chandeliers and moldings of a palace that knows how to remain delicate. Local flavors are revealed without artifice, and the divinely hushed setting invites you to slow down and savor - it's one of Deauville's most emblematic dining rooms! Then, of course, it's on to the Bar L'Étrier, also at Le Royal, for a final cocktail in the subdued glow of the sun. Between the wood panelling, curled up in the deep armchairs, we re-watch the film of the weekend in Normandy to prolong, just a little longer, the Norman charm.

Restaurant Côté Royal and Bar L’Étrier 
Hôtel Barrière Le Royal Deauville
Boulevard Eugène Cornuche, 14800 Deauville