Sunday, October 15, 2006

Deauville







About 6 months we said, "next time, we'll stay here" as we drove through the pretty & historic coast-side town of Deauville. So sure enough, there we were showing up for a weekend stay. But just because it's a beach town, doesn't mean laid back or informal.

Deauville, as it turned out, is a resort town of the jet-set crowd - packed with all the exclusive retail shops: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc. When we arrived, all the conceirge wanted to tell me was about the shops. I turned to Sophia, and asked "Don't you have anything here for kids?" He scratched his head and couldn't think of anything. I asked, "Don't you have a beach here?" Bien sur! (although it never occured to him to suggest it). I guess when your guests are mixed with the Queen of Dubai (who was staying on our floor with her 24-hour body guard posted), you have a one track mind.

As it turned out, the beach was one of the best I have ever seen. It went on forever, and everyone came out to fly kites, ride horses, and as Sophia so loved - collected and threw shells. Also, the boardwalk was quite amazing, more for people watching than anything else - but you could tell all the town strolled along the promanade.