ECR News | Beyond the conference: Normandy and France

General info:

• Currency: euro (€). Card payments are widely accepted in France, but it is useful to keep a small amount of cash for markets, cafés, or small local shops
• Time zone: Central European Summer Time – UTC+2
• Main nearby cities: Caen (50 km), Rouen (93 km), Paris (200 km)
• French 101: A few basic French words can be useful during your stay. Start with “Bonjour” for “Good morning/Hello,” “Bonsoir” for “Good evening,” and “Merci” for “Thank you.” To be polite, add “S’il vous plaît” when saying “Please,” and “Excusez-moi” if you need to get someone’s attention.
• 🚨: Start with “Bonjour” is not just a good start, it is a necessary start! If you don’t say “Bonjour”, French people might (…will…) take it very personally.
• French 102: A ‘carry-home’ French quote to bring home with you back home and show off as soon as you publish a paper: “Créer, c’est vivre deux fois”. This beautiful quote by Alber Camus means “to create means you live twice”.

What about Deauville?

• Want to relax?

Take a walk along the famous Promenade des Planches and enjoy the seaside atmosphere. It is one of the most iconic spots in Deauville and perfect for a relaxed stroll. You can also extend your walk towards the harbor and continue on to Trouville-sur-Mer, the charming town just across the river.

• Looking for something more adventurous?
  Deauville is also well known for its casinos. The most famous one is the Casino Barrière Deauville, right in the heart of town and close to the beach.
• Want to try some local food?
  On Saturday morning, take a walk through the Marché de Deauville. It is a nice place to discover local products, fresh food, cheeses, and other Normandy specialties.
• Taking the train from Paris to Deauville?
  One interesting stop on the way is Pont-l’Évêque. It is probably the best option if you want something charming, typically Norman, and food-oriented. Think half-timbered houses, a small historic center, cheese, cider, and calvados. It is also close to Deauville, so it does not interrupt the trip too much. It works well as a 2–3 hour stop, especially around lunch.