The heatwave in Europe shows no signs of abating anytime soon, so escape the heat of the Mediterranean and head north to chic Le Touquet, glamorous Deauville and picturesque Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

Swap Cannes for… Deauville

The chic resort town of Deauville, in Normandy, is a summer playground of the rich and famous in France. The town is renowned for its stunning beach of fine, golden sand that seems to stretch endlessly along the coastline, and it is no wonder that it has long been a favourite destination for the wealthy and glamorous - Coco Chanel herself was a regular visitor.

Water sports enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy activities such as sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, as the gentle waves of the English Channel make it an idea sport for beginners to learn and enjoy these water-based activities. The perfectly maintained beach also has designated swimming areas, ensuring the safety of visitors who wish to take a refreshing dip in the sea to escape the heat.

Deauville is not just a haven for sunseekers and water sports enthusiasts; it's also a hub of entertainment and relaxation, with a world-famous casino, indulgent spas, and exciting nightlife. A variety of beach clubs, cafes and restaurants await visitors to the promenade, making it the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely lunch or romantic dinner while overlooking one of France's most beautiful beaches. Every year the town welcomes A-listers and Hollywood royalty for the Deauville American Film Festival – look out for the famous names on the beach huts that line the wooden boardwalk.

If golden sand, a vibrant atmosphere, and a touch of luxury is what you're after, you won't find much better than Deauville for a beach holiday that will keep you entertained, pampered, and desperate to return again and again.

Swap Villefranche-sur-Mer for… Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

It's easy to see why Le Touquet became so popular with wealthy British and French tourists in the early 20th century. With many nicknames including “Jardin de la Manche”, “Paris by the sea” and “Pearl of the Opal Coast”, Le Touquet attracts visitors from across France and beyond to its beautiful beach and stylish town, as it has done for over one hundred years.

The hotel Le Westminster dominates this area, and it is no surprise that Ian Fleming based the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, in Le Touquet, the hotel itself providing much of the inspiration. The town's numerous golf courses make it a haven for golfers, and the casino adds an extra touch of luxury.

The town centre is a shopper's paradise, with luxury brands and boutique shops and restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets, and while the town has a definite luxury about it it rubs along perfectly with normality. It can be easy to feel out of place amongst such luxury, but not in Le Touquet - it is a thoroughly welcoming place.

The beach is perfect, with white sand that stretches for miles as most of the beaches along this stretch of coast do. Beach activities like windsurfing, sand yachting, and horseback riding are available for beginners of all ages, and the Belle Epoque villas and seafront apartments reaffirm Le Touquet's origins as a resort for the wealthy elites of the 20s and 30s.

Swap Èze for… Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

The medieval village of Èze on the French Riviera overlooks the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean from its hillside perch and is one of many such beautiful villages in the South of France. But the Northern French coast has its fair share of magnificent medieval towns, so if you want to escape the heat of the south coast head north and discover the perfectly picturesque Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

The remains of the medieval city make up a large part of this pretty seaside town, and as you walk around you will notice its association with Joan of Arc and William the Conqueror. Walking through the pretty, cobbled streets you eventually get to the church and the old medieval ramparts, from where you can enjoy stunning views across the Baie de Somme.

Take the winding stairs down the hillside from the Porte Jeanne d'Arc and you'll find yourself on the gorgeous sandy beach, which stretches along the river Somme and onto the Pointe du Hourdel to the north, where France's largest seal colony makes its home. The tree-lined promenade runs alongside the river and is lined with beautiful villas in the Belle Epoque style, some with a few modern twists. Look out for charming sight of the swallows swooping and dancing across the river's surface.

The best way to explore Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is to wander - it really is a town that you can lose yourself in, and detours are strongly encouraged. You can stroll along the cobbled streets and admire the pretty houses covered in colourful flowers for hours. After your adventure around the town stop off at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the town and sample some of the delicious locally sourced produce – the perfect way to relax and enjoy this gem of northern France.  

Get there

DFDS offers up to three sailings per day on its Newhaven to Dieppe route, with crossings taking four hours. Fares start from £80 each way for a car and two people.  

Facilities onboard the ship include a bar, restaurant, and a duty-free shop with a range of perfumes, cosmetics and electronics at up to 50 per cent off UK high-street prices. A quiet lounge with reclining seats is available to book and for extra privacy customers can book a cabin from £24 each way. Book at www.dfds.com

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For further press information, please contact:

Michelle Ulyatt / Adam Toombs / Karen Bayfield

Roch PR Ltd

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About DFDS:

DFDS provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of EUR 2.3 bn.

DFDS delivers high reliability to more than 10,000 freight customers through ferry and port terminal services and transport and logistics solutions.

For more than five million passengers, it provides safe overnight and short sea ferry services.

Our 12,000 employees are located on ships and in offices across 20 countries. DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.

In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named 'Europe's Leading Ferry Operator' for 11 years running (2012-2022), as well as the 'World's Leading Ferry Operator' for the last 12 years (2011-22).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk.  DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is owned by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com.