Trouville and Deauville

As you head west along the corniche from Honfleur, green fields and fruit trees lull the land’s edge, and cliffs rise from sandy beaches all the way to the sister towns of Trouville, 15km away, and Deauville, just beyond.

Of the twin towns of Trouville and Deauville, Trouville is more of a real town, with a constant population and industries other than tourism. But it’s still a resort, with a tangle of pedestrian streets just back from the beach that are alive with restaurants and hotels, and a busy boardwalk running along a sandy beach.

Deauville is slightly larger than its neighbour, and significantly smarter, its sleek streets lined with designer boutiques and chic cafés. In summer, life revolves around the beach and the planches, 650m of boardwalk, beyond which rows of primary-coloured parasols obscure the view of the sea. The town is best known for its American Film Festival (whttp://www.festival-deauville.com), held in the first week of September. It’s the antithesis of the snootier Cannes shindig, with public admission to a wide selection of previews.