Camping L'Orée de Deauville

Take to the Normandy coast for golden sandy beaches within a few kilometres, or sailing and windsurfing courses at the yacht clubs of Blonville-sur-Mer and Villers-sur-Mer. From Blonville-sur-Mer, it's four kilometres to Deauville, a swish and scenic seaside town with a beaut beach, speedboating, an aerial course, a casino, golf course and racing track; or five to Trouville-sur-Mer and its grand 19th-century architecture, another fab beach and a famed fish market. You can also take the train from Blonville to another Normandy seaside town, Dives-sur-Mer, from where William the Conqueror left to subdue England in 1066 (a statue to the vanquisher is in town, along with a medieval marketplace and a 13th-century church). Closer to home are the horse racing, equestrian centre and polo field at Toques, and more horse racing at Deauville-Clairefontaine Racecourse. A tree climbing circuit is at Accrobranche three kilometres away and another golf course is at Tourgeville. For a day trip, department capital Caen is about 34 kilometres from Blonville.