Deauville-Trouville

Twin towns on the beach, divided only by the River Touques, Deauville and Trouville compete for the title of Most Extravagant Norman Town. In the 19th century, there were no more fashionable towns than these two, but by the 20th they were both overbuilt to such an extent that their charm was sadly diminished. Deauville, especially, has been the victim of its own success—its main avenue on the sea is now one solid wall of apartment buildings.