A place of split personality as indicated by the stroke dividing the two names, Deauville and Trouville combine the sophistication of the beau monde in Deauville with an attractive old port in Trouville on the right bank of the River Touques. For yachtsmen, the most convenient facilities lie at Port Deauville where there is a large locked marina with all facilities, but for those with time and determination the Vieux Port can make an attractive alternative.

Approaches to the town dry and for yachts with any significant draught half tide is the earliest sensible moment to attempt entry. The end of the western breakwater is marked by a dolphin with a light on it, the eastern breakwater extending less than half as far to seaward. Beware the wrecks 2 miles out to sea indicated by a lit east cardinal which lie close to the approach line, indicated by the leading lights, of 148º.

Port Deauville lies to starboard on your way in and is well marked, the lock opening on demand at any time you are likely to be able to get there. Visitors berth on the starboard side beyond the lock.

If you fancy the Vieux Port, continue straight on past the casino to the lock which opens and shuts automatically when the rise of tide reaches 5.5m (watch the traffic lights). This represents a considerably narrower tidal window than Port Deauville. Once inside the Bassin des Yachts, visitors’ berths are at the south end.

Whiling away a day in Trouville is no hardship at all, while the geometrically laid out streets of Deauville also have a certain charm to aficionados of up-market French resorts. Money can conveniently be wasted at either the casino or the races. As a generalisation, the grander restaurants tend to be found in Deauville and the cheaper ones in Trouville.

© 2008 Yachtpilot