The boardwalk was designed by architect Charles Adda to allow high-society visitors to stroll along the sand without getting their shoes dirty.
The boards are made of Azobé, an African wood so dense that it does not float in water.
There are 450 individual bathing cabins along the beach, many of which remain private property or are rented by the season.
During the German occupation in World War II, the boardwalk was dismantled and used for firewood and construction materials.
The names engraved on the cabin doors are refreshed annually to match the award recipients of the Deauville American Film Festival.
Les Planches is a 643-meter-long wooden boardwalk constructed in 1923, running parallel to the Deauville beach. The structure is famous for its iconic Art Deco beach cabins, each named after renowned American actors and directors who attended the Deauville American Film Festival. These cabins are constructed from Azobé wood, a dense timber chosen for its durability against saltwater and maritime weather. The promenade connects the town’s leisure facilities, including the Cures Marines thalassotherapy center and the public swimming pool. Visitors walk on planks that have been replaced periodically while maintaining the original architectural footprint. The site serves as the primary pedestrian artery for the Deauville seafront.
The mid-section of the boardwalk looking toward the row of colored parasols and numbered cabin doors.
Walk the entire length during low tide to observe the expansive tidal flats characteristic of the Normandy coast.
Look for the names of your favorite film stars on the cabin doors, which act as a 'Walk of Fame' for the beach.
Bring a windbreaker, as the open coastal position creates consistent sea breezes even on sunny days.
Do not attempt to rent a private cabin for a short stay, as most are privately owned or leased on a long-term seasonal basis.
Avoid walking on the dunes or sand grass, which are protected to prevent coastal erosion.
