DEAUVILLE RACECOURSE
Course: Deauville Racecourse
🎫 Ticket & value: €12 entry
👀 Track view: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍔 Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
🍺 Beer & drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭕️ Parade Ring: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏇 Runners and riders: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎉 Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️ Overall Experience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👍🏻 Best for: Track view, winners’ enclosure & family friendliness 👀⭕️👨👩👧
Deauville Racecourse is one of France’s most beautiful and distinctive tracks, set just a stone’s throw from the seaside town that shares its name. Known as the “summer capital of horse racing” in France, Deauville has a unique character that blends prestige, charm, and accessibility. At only €12 for entry, the value is simply unbeatable — this is a five-star racing experience for the price of a round of drinks back home.
The track viewing is nothing short of outstanding. From the main grandstand you have a perfect, uninterrupted view of the entire straight, which is rare at many flat tracks. Even at rail level, the only minor obstruction comes from the polo clubhouse and a temporary marquee that blocks around 50 metres of action — but this is hardly noticeable when you can still see the vast majority of the race unfold in front of you. What’s particularly special about Deauville is the variety of perspectives you can take in: from the grandstand, the rail, or even the polo ground in the middle of the course where you can watch the horses jump from the stalls and sweep around the bend before crossing the line. The design of the course makes the action easy to follow from almost anywhere, and the long home straight really allows you to appreciate the speed and stamina of the horses.
Drinks were similarly priced compared to UK racecourses, though not quite exceptional value. A pint of Heineken was €8 inside (served in paper cups) and €9 outside at the food court in sturdier plastic, which felt more premium. For those wanting something different, rosé at €36 a bottle with an ice bucket was very popular in the sunshine, while Champagne at €80 for Taittinger gave the day a classic French flourish. There were also ciders and cocktails on offer, so the choice was varied enough to suit most tastes, though beer lovers might have wished for a little more range.
The parade ring was one of the prettiest we’ve seen abroad. Compact yet elegant, it sits directly behind the grandstand, meaning you’re always close to the action. A small hill offers an elevated view, while the food court positioned alongside gives punters the chance to enjoy a meal or drink while watching the horses parade and races unfold on the big screen. Access is excellent, with the public able to walk almost the whole way round the ring.
The winners’ enclosure is equally stunning. Framed by the beautiful old weighing room with its classic French architecture, it offers a picture-perfect backdrop to the post-race celebrations. The manicured grass and flowerbeds around the enclosure make it a wonderfully atmospheric setting, and the access for spectators is excellent. You can get a great view of the horses being washed down after their exertions and watch the prize presentations take place just metres away from the winning connections. It feels intimate yet grand, and perfectly captures the character of French racing at its best.
The atmosphere is very different to a UK meeting. It’s relaxed, civilised, and not nearly as loud in the home straight as we’re used to in Britain, where the roar can be deafening. Instead, the crowd here feels made up of genuine racing enthusiasts, quietly focused on the action. The sunshine added to the laidback vibe, making the whole day feel more like a leisurely summer festival than a high-pressure sporting event. While some may miss the intensity of a British crowd, the calm enjoyment at Deauville has a charm all of its own.
The runners and riders certainly lived up to the track’s reputation. The nine-race card was packed, including races on both the straight turf course and the all-weather, giving variety to the day’s programme. Top French jockeys such as Mickaël Barzalona, Maxime Guyon, and Christophe Soumillon were in action, underlining the quality on show. The straight-course sprints at five, six, and seven furlongs were particularly exciting, while the round-course races tested stamina and tactics over middle distances.
Food at Deauville was good, if not spectacular. The outdoor food court was well set up, with plenty of seating shaded by festival-style tents. We tried a burger and a katsu wrap, both tasty and freshly prepared, but what really stood out was the breadth of choice. From oysters and crepes to Eurasian dishes, sandwiches, sweets, candy floss, and ice cream, there was something for everyone — a refreshing change from the often limited options at UK tracks. Two on-site restaurants also offered a sit-down alternative for those wanting a more formal meal.
Hidden Gem Highlight – Polo at Deauville:
One of the most unique and unexpected aspects of Deauville is the polo ground set right in the centre of the racecourse. For a small extra fee, you can step across and watch world-class polo being played while the racing carries on around you. We were lucky enough to catch the prestigious Deauville Gold Cup — horses thundering down the home straight on one side, and polo ponies darting across the field on the other. It was a surreal, unforgettable double-act of two elite sports happening side by side. Nowhere else we’ve visited offers such a combination, and it makes Deauville not just a racecourse, but a sporting destination in its own right.
Where Deauville really shines overall is its family-friendly approach. Alongside the polo, a full kids’ club was in operation, with mini-golf, bouncy castles, chess boards, and a host of activities to keep younger visitors entertained. This made the course feel welcoming and inclusive, ensuring families could enjoy a full day out without the younger members getting restless.
Overall, Deauville is a racecourse that captures the spirit of summer racing perfectly. It may not have the noise and frenzy of a big English meeting, but what it does have is world-class racing, flawless track views, superb value, and a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere that makes it stand out in its own right. Add in the family facilities, seaside setting, and the polo — that hidden gem — and you have a course that delivers far more than a day at the races. For us, Deauville is not just a top-class racecourse — it’s one of the best overall sporting experiences we’ve had, and one we will absolutely return to.
