For over a century, the Tourist Office has been the preferred guide for visitors and residents, ensuring that everyone fully enjoys our charming city and its hidden treasures.
Behind our facade—always radiant, even in the rain—lies a long history, dating back to 1907! Back then, our mission was already clear: to entertain locals and visitors, attract the curious, and above all, to make the pleasure of being in Trouville-sur-Mer last. Today, the idea remains the same: to make you fall in love with Trouville-sur-Mer, with no possibility of going back.
On this page, take a look behind the scenes at our history, our useful services, and our labels (spoiler: we have several, we're not joking about that)!
The origins of the Trouville-sur-Mer Tourist Office
Everyone knows us as the “Trouville-sur-Mer Tourist Office,” but do you really know our history and how we’ve evolved over time?
Since 2022, our official name has been “Trouville-sur-Mer Tourist and Attractiveness Office” (OTAT for short). But did you know that our adventure began long before that, in the last century? Indeed, it all began on September 14, 1907, with the creation of the “Trouville-Deauville Festival and Propaganda Initiative Committee.” To use the words of the time:
The aim of this union is to bring together all those who are willing to help extend the tourist season by increasing the number of festivals and entertainment events, thereby attracting visitors earlier and keeping them longer.
In short, the idea was to entertain the locals and attract tourists, a mission that continues more than a hundred years later!
A few decades later, we became the city's "Tourist Information Office", a name that marked an entire generation and which, let's be honest, is still used by some nostalgic people today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a Tourist Office?
A Tourist Office is a bit like a beacon for travelers. It serves to illuminate your stay and guide you to make the most of it! You'll find passionate advisors who know the region like the back of their hand and are there to answer all your questions, whether you're looking for a sporting activity, a cultural visit, or simply a good place to taste local specialties.
A Tourist Office is the travel advisors you see, always ready to welcome you with a smile, but it is also the whole a team behind the scenes. For example, there is the publishing department, which writes the magazine and publishes the city map, the communications department, which keeps you informed on social networks and updates this website so that you don't miss any information, or the groups and seminars, which organizes tailor-made trips for groups. Not forgetting the entertainment department, which designs and organizes events throughout the year so you can leave with a suitcase full of memories. A team of people dedicated to the attractiveness of Trouville-sur-Mer, whether for residents, professionals, or visitors.
In short, a Tourist Office's mission is to organize events and activities, to promote the city both in France and abroad, while making your stay easier, more enriching and above all unforgettable.
Is the Tourist Office reserved only for tourists?
Although the word “tourism” is in our name, we are just as interested in locals as we are in visitors! After all, who better to be our ambassadors than residents? At the Trouville-sur-Mer Tourist Office, we take care of everyone, so no hard feelings! Whether you are a local or a vacationer (or a vacationer pretending to be a local, we won't judge), don't hesitate to come and visit us!
What can you find in a Tourist Office?
The Tourist Office is Trouville-sur-Mer's treasure trove! Here, our friendly and enthusiastic travel advisors are your expert guides to the area. They're here to share their best advice, tips, and great places to visit to help you make the most of your stay.
Along the shelves, you will find a multitude of brochures on the events of the moment and the industrial to do, whether it's sports outings, cultural activities, or creative workshops. We have everything you need to fill your days and make your stay unforgettable!
For those who want to stay connected, we offer free Wi-Fi, because even on vacation, it's important to share photos of your meal on social media. And if you need to print documents at the last minute, don't worry! We're here to save you from the panic with our printing service.
Don't forget to take a tour in our souvenir shop, where you can find bags, stationery, textiles, fashion accessories, and decorative items that will remind you of your Trouville getaway. Treasures to give to loved ones or to keep for yourself, it's up to you!
And that's not all! Our tickets gives you access to our activities as well as a plethora of experiences to enjoy around Trouville-sur-Mer. How about a boat trip or a guided tour?
Finally, if you are traveling in a group or planning a seminar, our dedicated service will help you organize a tailor-made stay. Ready to transform your meeting into a memorable stay!
In short, a Tourist Office is a bit like a toolbox for your vacation: you'll find everything there, including things that seem useless at first glance, but that we're glad to have on hand "just in case"! So, don't hesitate to push open the door and ask for your dose of advice... and smiles!
What languages do you speak?
For us, linguistic diversity is a bit of a superpower! We speak several languages fluently to better welcome you, whether you're from next door or the other side of the world.
We are comfortable in French (of course!), in English (we even speak “Franglais” if necessary), in Spanish for our amigos and in German for our Freunde. In short, wherever you come from, we have the right words to make you feel at home!
When are you open?
We are open 363 days a year, ready to welcome you with a smile!
– From April to October (and during school holidays), you can visit us from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. On Sundays and public holidays, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.
– From November to March (excluding school holidays), we welcome you from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., and on Sundays and public holidays, from 10 a.m. to 13:30 p.m.
– In July and August, we are open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 19:10 p.m., and on Sundays and public holidays from 18:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
– Closing days: December 25 and January 1.
Last question but not least: where does the name Trouville-sur-Mer come from?
The name Trouville-sur-Mer is said to have its origins in the Viking Age. According to some sources, it may derive from the Scandinavian name Thorvald or Turold, in honor of the thunder god Thor, who probably thought, "This area could use a good thunderstorm to spice things up a bit!" However, another theory suggests that the name came from Thorulfr, a Viking who established his domain here. Perhaps he was attracted by the local mussels and chips!
The name “Thorulfr-villa” then evolved over the centuries to become “Trouville”. The suffix “sur-Mer” was added in 1847 when Trouville and Hennequeville merged to form the town of… Trouville-sur-Mer.
This story reflects the Nordic influences on the toponymy of the region and highlights the historical importance of these early settlers in the formation of place names in Normandy.
Want to know more about us? Check out the pages below.
You will discover our commitments to Quality Tourism, our sustainable approach, our labels, the souvenirs available in our shop and many other services!
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