Day 1 Thur  Jul 30	Depart the U.S., if not joining the trip from France or elsewhere in Europe.
Day 2 Fri  Jul 31	Arrive in Paris. You'll be met at the airport (most likely Charles de Gaulle) and transferred to the Royal Hotel in Deauville on the English Channel coast of France. We can also meet you in Central Paris if you're already there. The transfer will take approximately 2 ½ hours, and the remainder of the day is free for adjustment and your own activities. We always advise keeping active if it's your first day over from the U.S. Take some time to stroll a bit, to get a feel for the town and for being in France. You're likely to discover a shop or a sidewalk café you'll want to come back to later. One of the best things about Deauville is its pedestrian-friendliness, and independent on-foot exploration is always richly rewarded. Deauville is sometimes referred to by Americans as the "Saratoga of France", and it could just as easily be called the "Del Mar of France", because in addition to its seaside ambiance it also fulfills the same function in France that Saratoga and Del Mar do in the U.S.: in August the urban (Paris, in this case) racing circuit shuts down and the horses and everybody associated with them gets out of the city for the month and comes here. Not for nothing is Deauville sometimes referred to as "the 21st Arrondissement." The racing in Deauville dates back to 1864, making it exactly contemporaneous with Saratoga. The Duc de Morny, brother to Napoleon III, brought racing and its associated glamor to this new resort on the Cote Fleurie, one of the first in the world built from the ground up to cater to what was then the newly "discovered" pleasure of sea bathing. The Duc remains much in evidence today: the main square in town bears his name, as does one of the biggest races of the season. There are two racecourses, and one or the other of them operates most days. Deauville-la-Touques is the primary course, where most of the major racing is conducted. Clairefontaine is much more relaxed and informal, and offers up mixed cards of flat and jump racing. Late afternoon / early evening today, we'll rendezvous for cocktails at the lawn bar of the Royal to spend some time together and get oriented for our week. It will be a busy one, so a simple first night is a good idea. We'll organize a casual group dinner at a nearby restaurant for those who want company. THE ROYAL HOTEL: The Royal and her sister The Normandy are the places to stay in Deauville. Channel-facing, but set back from the bustle of the beach, they both have justifiable worldwide reputations as first class resort hotels, combining traditional atmosphere, fine service, and a middle-of-it-all location. We prefer the Royal because the rooms are larger. The Royal and Normandy are both operated by the Barriere Group; at www.hotelsbarriere.com you can learn more about the hotel. A buffet breakfast is included each morning of our stay.
Day 3 Sat  Aug 1	Nothing organized is on tap for this morning, so it's a good time to relax and/or do some more wandering around Deauville. Most days there's a market in the square to the east of the Place Morny, and further on in that direction is the pleasure boat harbor that separates Deauville from Trouville -- which is also an enjoyable strolling area, although somewhat busier than Deauville. From near the entrance to the Bassin des Yachts on the Deauville side, you can catch a small boat across to Trouville and back. Another idea for the morning is a walk on the beach. The tidal range is very large and the difference in mood between high and low is remarkable. At low tide the beach is several hundred yards wide. The water can be chilly and swimming is probably better left to the hotel pool, but the shelling is quite good. Walk west -- to the left, facing the water, from the hotel -- and this will take you away from the most populated areas of the beach. In the afternoon it's time for racing at Clairefontaine, the second and more casual of Deauville's two racecourses. A couple of days a week Clairefontaine conducts the sport in a delightfully relaxed way. On past trips our group members have thoroughly enjoyed it. The course is beautiful -- flower-bedecked and surrounded by low rural hillsides. It's French country racing at its very best. We'll organize transport and lunch at the course. Major events are not run here, but in recent years this "first Saturday of the season" had had a couple of Listed races included in the card.
Day 4 Sun  Aug 2	Another lazy or active morning – your choice – is followed by our principal day of racing at Deauville-la-Touques. Deauville's first Sunday is loaded with black-type action. Headlining the card is the Group 1 Prix de Rothschild, a one-mile test for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up. The great filly Goldikova won this race four times. Supporting the feature are three Group 3s: The Psyche, for 3-year-old fillies at a mile and a quarter; the Cabourg, a six-furlong test for 2-year-olds; and the Six Perfections at seven furliongs for the juvenile fillies. There's also a marathon Listed race for older horses and a couple of maiden events for previously unraced 2-year-olds that have often thrown up good ones. We'll have lunch in the Restaurant Panoramique overlooking the course and, as the race viewing is excellent from the immediately adjacent terrace, we'll use our table to come and go from for the day. Apre-la-course, we may just want to stroll back to The Royal for another round on the lawn. If there's a demand, we'll also have identified a time and a place to meet up tonight for a no-host dinner at one of Deauville's best restaurants.
Day 5 Mon  Aug 3	Today we'll enjoy another of the great things about Deauville. Because in addition to being the "Saratoga" and "Del Mar" of France, it's also the "Kentucky". Just inland in Normandy is the country's main Thoroughbred breeding area and the home of many of its leading farms. (For this reason, by the way, Deauville is "twinned" with Lexington and Ireland's Kildare in the Sister City program.) We'll visit two farms -- a major stallion-standing operation and a smaller family-run concern. At some point we'll fit in lunch at a restaurant out in the country and absorb a little bit more of the ineffable Normandy spirit. We'll be back to town mid-afternoon, with time for a freshening. A no-host dinner at one of our favorite Deauville eateries will be available for those who want to join in. If you're a gaming aficionado, tonight's as good a night as any to begin your assault on the big Deauville Casino. Also operated by the Barriere Group, it's only a block away from the Royal. Be sure to take your passport.
Day 6 Tue  Aug 4	Another Cote Fleurie treat this morning. We'll motor East and take in the lovely and historic town of Honfleur. Samuel Champlain set out from here in 1608 to colonize Quebec, and the old port today makes for a highly picturesque walking circuit. Honfleur has long been a favorite artists' haunt and it was one of the major cradles of Impressionism. The town is packed with interesting shops and galleries and there's often an open-air market. There will be a choice from this point. Any who want to linger in Honfleur can stay and return to Deauville independently. Back home, there is a modest card at Deauville-la-Touques for those who can't get enough racing. We can book those who desire it into the Panoramique, or you might want to try one of the paddock-side restaurants on this quiet day.
Day 7 Wed  Aug 5	We’re doing nothing racing-related, but today might be the day that ends up having the most indelible memories for you. 82 years ago on the coast not far from Deauville the Americans, British, and Canadians conducted the great cross-Channel invasion that came to be known as "D-Day". The landings were made along a 50-mile front of the Channel coast and involved over 4,000 ships and hundreds of thousands of men. If it hadn't succeeded they might still be speaking Russian around here today. We'll visit various significant locations relating to the operation, on our way passing close by the place from which the Duke of Normandy – soon to be known as William the Conqueror -- launched his invasion of England almost a thousand years earlier. Among our stops will be the Pegasus Bridge at the far eastern end of the front, where British glider-borne troops initiated the day's action at a few minutes past midnight on June 6; Arromanches, near the British beaches, where remains of the artificial "Mulberry" harbor are still visible; and of course dramatic Omaha Beach, where the resistance was stiffest and the outcome in doubt for much of the day. On the bluff above Omaha is the famous American Cemetery – actually official U.S. territory – where our dead from the entire Normandy campaign are buried. It's a place difficult to visit without emotion. You'll come away very proud of what our fellow countrymen accomplished here. If there's a demand, we'll also have identified a time and a place to meet up tonight for a no-host dinner at one of Deauville's best restaurants.
Day 8 Thur  Aug 6	Trés desolé, but the organized itinerary ends after breakfast and checkout this morning. Time to move on for voyagers that have to. We'll provide transport down to Charles de Gaulle airport for your flight home, or into Central Paris if that's your next stop. And if you're continuing your journey by train or rental car, we'll get you to where you need to be for that, too. If you're extending at the Royal, you'll get your transfer on your actual departure day. Bonne voyage.

CLOSING DATE

This trip will close on April 15, 2026. Payment in full and all necessary paperwork must be received by us no later than this date to insure that you will be able to travel on the trip.

• Any charges incurred at hotels other than the basic cost of the room, including but not limited to room service, mini-bar, television or video, restaurant or bar service, laundry or dry-cleaning, business services, golf or other activities, and activities arranged through the hotel concierge. (All group members will be required to provide a credit card imprint upon check-in to guarantee payment for any individual charges.)
• Excess baggage charges. Please check intra-European airline baggage limitations.
• Costs related to obtaining passports or visas.
• Travel insurance.
• Alcoholic beverages, except during the "Welcome" cocktail hour on July 31.
• Charges incurred for anything other than what is specified in the "Itinerary Includes" summary above.
• Personal gratuities. As part of our arrangements, we will tip our drivers, farm personnel, and hotel staff on behalf of the group. Group members should appropriately tip their incoming and outgoing transfer drivers and anyone who provides them with personal assistance, including special assistance by hotel staff. Please note your principal escort does not expect and will not accept a gratuity.

$4,275 per person, based on double occupancy (thirteen or more travelers)
$4,395 per person, based on double occupancy (ten to twelve travelers)
$4,545 per person, based on double occupancy (eight or nine travelers)

$1,895 single supplement, regardless of group size.

*The above rates are based on accommodation in a comfortable "Deluxe" category room at the Royal Hotel. For travelers wishing more space and a full water view, we have also reserved a number of "Deluxe Sea-facing" rooms. Those selecting this option must add $925 per person (based on double occupancy) to the cost of the trip and single travelers must add $1,850 to the single supplement.

We have had a mix of regular "Deluxe" and "Deluxe Sea-Facing" rooms chosen by travelers on all our previous Deauville trips. No one has ever been unhappy with their choice in either case. Those wanting more space and a full water view have felt the extra cost was worth it, and those preferring to conserve funds for shopping, dining, or another bottle of Calvados to take home have always been satisfied too. Please let us know your choice as soon as possible.

The above rates are based on a round-trip transfer between Charles de Gaulle airport and Deauville in a comfortable taxi for one or two travelers.

The cost of the transfers between Deauville and Charles de Gaulle airport or central Paris are not inexpensive and have increased significantly in recent years. These costs contribute a good bit to the overall price of the trip. Those who may want to consider getting to and away from Deauville on your own at either end of the trip could get a discount on the trip price. Please inquire with us.

*Please note we have not received final pricing for some minor elements of the itinerary, and therefore the final price of the trip is subject to minor adjustment until we do.

We will attempt to match single travelers wishing to double up and thereby avoid the Single Supplement, however it will always be the single traveler's decision whether or not to accept a roommate.

Trip prices are subject to change up to thirty(30) days prior to trip departure to reflect fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the United States and the European Union. Dollar prices quoted here are based on the following exchange rate:

1 US $ = 0.870 Euro // 1 Euro = 1.15 US $

OPTIONS:

• Additional Nights at the Royal Hotel, Deauville, if available: will vary, depending on length of stay, the specific nights chosen, and the room category. Please inquire with us.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

*The 2026 racing calendar is not finalized as we go to press. In the event the French authorities alter any of the currently proposed racing dates, some of the activities listed in the itinerary above may be transferred from one day to another.

*Please note the transfer time from central Deauville to Charles DeGaulle airport is approximately 2 ½ hours and can occasionally take longer if you are unlucky with traffic. We recommend leaving Deauville a minimum of six(6) hours prior to your flight departure time. Therefore, we advise a departure time for your flight from Charles de Gaulle be as late in the day as you can make it, consistent with when you want to be back in the U.S. You may want to consider spending a night near your airport and taking a flight on the following day.

*This trip is designed for eight(8) to sixteen(16) people. We will make every effort to operate this trip as Deauville is our favorite, however we do reserve the right to cancel the trip if it has less than eight(8) subscribers. Should we need to do this, all payments made to Racing-Europe toward the cost of the trip will be fully and promptly refunded.

*You must have a valid passport to enter France.

 

Photos courtesy of the Deauville Tourism Office, Kay Minton, and Sylvain

 
View the Itinerary for our other 2026 trip:

For Earlier July (England), click here

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