Trouville-sur-Mer would be considered one of Normandy's most elegant seaside resorts if it were not sitting right next to Deauville, which claims that title with more polish. But Trouville has the better character — it is a real fishing port as well as a resort, and the waterfront fish market is one of the best in Normandy.
The beach is wide, the sand is golden, and the Belle Époque buildings along the boardwalk are beautiful. Trouville has attracted painters since the 19th century — Monet, Boudin, and Flaubert all spent time here; the small Villa Montebello museum keeps a collection of their work. The casino and the grand Cures Marines spa hotel anchor the seafront's wedding-cake architecture.
The town has a more relaxed, family-friendly feel than its glamorous neighbour across the river, and parking close to the beach can be tricky on summer weekends.