At the mouth of the Seine, the postcard-pretty town of Honfleur has inspired many artists – and a good many gallery-owners who mop up the trade from weekending Parisians. Honfleur has a quartet of interesting museums, an old town full of half-timbered houses, and an excellent Saturday market selling produits du terroir. But it’s the 17th century dock (Le Vieux Bassin) that’s the focus. It’s flanked by narrow houses, many of which are now restaurants and bars with a quayside view of the bobbing boats. West of Honfleur, Trouville and Deauville face each other over the Touques river but are worlds apart. Trouville, too, has a 17th century port, but it’s a working affair with a daily fish market. There are quaint back streets, and a long, sandy beach – the same one Monet painted. Glamorous Deauville has been putting on the ritz since the early 20th century, when the Duc de Morny turned it into a swanky resort with a racecourse, a casino and top-end hotels. The town hasn’t lost its nostalgic appeal; a hardwood boardwalk still skirts the beach, and the vivid beach huts are a fixture. So is the enormous neo-Louis XIV casino, which attracts a sleek crowd as one of the major casinos in Europe. The town hosts the glitzy American Film Festival in September. Be warned that tens of thousands descend on the town during holiday season; if you haven’t booked ahead, your chances of staying are slim. The Normandy Riviera is just under 200km from Paris, and you can get there by train.