Where is Deauville?
The resort is located in the north-west of France, in the region of Lower Normandy, 200 km from Paris. The city is washed by the waters of the English Channel. Deauville's beach is often called "the king of Normandy beaches" because movie stars and other celebrities have been coming here since the mid-19th century.
The population of Deauville is less than 4,000 people. Almost all the villas and expensive apartments belong to the French rich, who come to the resort only in summer.
History of Deauville
The first mention of a town in this region of Normandy dates back to 1060. Deauville was originally a small fishing village. There were no more than a dozen houses. In 1850, the Duke of De Morny came to Normandy (or rather, to the nearby town of Trouville) for a holiday.
He was simply enchanted by Deauville's streets and picturesque beach. The enterprising duke immediately decided to create a resort for the local nobility. Legend has it that De Morny was prompted to take this step by his wife, Princess Troubetzkaya, who missed the scenery of St Petersburg in Paris.
As an elite resort town, Deauville was founded in 1862. The Duke quickly convinced the French aristocracy that staying here was very good for their health. And the powerful, led by Emperor Napoleon III, were drawn to Deauville for their vacations. In 1864, the first casino opened in the resort, so that vacationers could not only swim and sunbathe, but also spend money in pleasure.
After the death of the Duc de Monri, the town lost its popularity for a while, but in the early 20th century the clever and ambitious mayor of Deauville, Desiree le Hocq, managed to restore the town to its former glory as a resort for VIPs.
