His 'n' hers holidays in Normandy

For him and for her, Normandy has it all. There are plenty of things you can enjoy together like strolling the promenades, relaxing on the beaches and exploring the very best of the local restaurants.

And when he heads for one of the golf courses, she can hit the chic shopping or opt for a pampering treatment at a spa. Here Bob Maddams takes a look at what is on offer.

Doing Deauville

Deauville has grown from humble beginnings into a stylish resort town famous for its elegant high life. It was the racecourse that first brought Parisian aristocrats here, and racing is still a very popular sport throughout the entire region.

Elegant villas, chic shops and stylish cafes, restaurants and bars are the hallmarks of the town. Take a stroll along its wide beachside promenade and you'll feel as if you've stepped straight out of the pages of a belle époque novel.

During the summer it's all beach and parasols, and in September you may bump into a Hollywood movie star on their way to the casino, here for the annual Film Festival.

Try out Trouville

Trouville rubs shoulders with Deauville just across the Touques River, but in contrast it's far less formal - betraying its roots as a fishing village. Here, you'll find bustling quays, busy markets and narrow streets full of quaint shops to explore.

However, the one thing Trouville does share with Deauville is a very impressive beach. For the more actively inclined there's also sailing and horse riding. Nothing beats a good early morning gallop along the beaches in Normandy.

Arty Honfleur

Honfleur is another delightful harbour town which as well as attracting holiday visitors has long been a magnet for famous French artists, drawn by the scenic views and beauty of the light.

It made a big impression on Monet, Renoir and Cezanne among others. So it's no coincidence there are 15 art galleries in the town.

Nowadays, you're more likely to see wealthy yachtsman thronging the town squares and pavement cafes enjoying the fresh seafood rather than struggling artists. But the atmosphere is still as charming as it was a hundred years ago.

Love Le Touquet

They call Le Touquet 'Paris by the-sea' and you'll quickly see why. It may not have an Eiffel Tower but otherwise it certainly looks the part as many of Frances's most famous architects have erected buildings here.

During the 1920s Noel Coward and his smart set of literary chums took over at weekends, but now Le Touquet is popular with couples from all over the British Isles who are drawn by the beach, the wild dunes, casino, and walks amongst the elegant villas of a bygone era in shady woodlands.

The beach at Cabourg

Considered by many to be the most spectacular beach on the entire Normandy coast, Cabourg is also famous for two other things: its racecourse, and that the famous French writer Marcel Proust used to visit here.

Proust came here for his health, but today's visitor can enjoy a great deal more including golf, tennis, mini golf, sailing, horse riding and there's also a swimming pool and a casino.

And if you fancy a bet of a different kind, the racecourse is just opposite the Mercure Hotel.

Chic boutiques

You'll find shopping with a certain 'je ne sais quoi' in all the chic resort towns of the
Normandy coast, and the area continues to attract the stylish and the fashion conscious, just as it always has.

All a girl has to do is find something else for him to do for a few hours.

Golf ideas in Normandy

How about golf? The sport is played widely throughout Normandy, to all standards. The Deauville area has some of the best courses, including Champ de Bataille, known as Normandy's Wentworth.

Spa Holidays

Many of the larger resort hotels have spas that are open to the public. The Algotherm Thalassotherapy Spa in Deauville is especially well recommended being centrally located and offering a wide range of treatments.

Getting there

Normandy has more cross-channel ferry routes than any other region in France and is easily reached from the UK via ferry from Portsmouth, Newhaven and Poole.

Brittany Ferry's prices start at around £142 for a car with two passengers staying for five days during the summer months.

Air France, Ryanair and Sky South also operate regular flights to the region from a number of UK airports.

Where to Stay

European self-catering operator Pierre & Vacances will open its new four star Residence MGM de Houlgate, overlooking Normandy's Deauville Bay in August 2009.

Those who book now for a stay during the residence's first month will receive a discount of up to 20 per cent.

Situated 600 metres from the beach, Residence MGM de Houlgate features 82 apartments and 44 cottages, many with capacity for up to eight guests.

All properties are self-catering with fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi internet connections and LCD TVs. Onsite facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, health spa and children's activity area.

Bob Maddams