The New York herald., 1921-09-04


BY MAY BIRIxHEAD.
DEAuvILLE, Aug. is.
IN EAUVILI,E and lie Touquet are
apparently running a close race
for popularity among the fash
ionable French seaside resorts, which
means that each is trying to outdo the
other in high prices. When the Deau-
vile visitors complain that prices are
too high the hotel keepers invariably
respond that lie Touquet prices are
higher. and vice versa. The conse-
quence Is that the week end visitors
from each resort are constantly ex-
changing places to see for themselves
IL one is really more expensive than
the other Thus the pursuit Of high
prices has grown to be a sport and al
most mania among the foreign Wis
itors. 1t seems that as soon as re-
sort acquires the reputation Of being
the most expensive spot on the Conti-
nent the whole world flocks there, in
order to complain about it.
Deauville, however, is apparently
undisturbed by the discussions as to
whether its growing commercial as
pect and high prices will kill it before
| the season is over. 1t seems to be as-
sured that the beauties of La PLACE
Fleurie are such that it will continue
to draw the elite OF the world, and it
figures that there are "kickers" to be
found everywhere and under all cir
cumstances, so why should Deauville
be disturbed by such small matters as
complaints?
If Americans write to the hotels and
ask the price OF rooms for the next week
end they usually receive the response
that the hotels are filled by permanent
visitors who expect to remain for the
entire month. but they can have a room
for 800 francs a day unless they will
agree to stay for the season. If they
will take the room for three weeks they
can have it at as reasonable a price as
$50 francs day on the sea front and
80 francs q day for the back rooms on
the street
This naturally arouses a curiosity
about the place. and tourists. especially
Americans who are fond of wire pull
ing, go about finding an influential
friend who can persuade the Deauville
hotel keeper to produce room from
some unknown source and compromise
OH tit PliSc. oy tIC tiiiie q WIEN 10
spent In corresponding back and forth
the curiosity of the American has grown
50 keen that he Is willing to pay any
price for room.
The consequence is that rooms are be-
ing engaged almost by the minute in
stead of by the day, and after few min
utes the guest is told that Deauville has
grown so very popular that he must get
out because his room has been previ-
ously engaged, so off he goes to lie Tou-
quet to look for higher prices.
There is no doubt that prices are high
at all the resorts, but as far as Deau-
willie Is concerned there Is much in
knowing how to manage. The hotel
Keepers all explain that prices are nee
essarily high because their season Is so
short. Three weeks has heretofore COW
cred the Deauville high season, and dur
ing that period It has been the Assump-
ton Day holiday on August Is that has
drawn the tremendous crowds. The
Grand Prix de DeauvilIe is as popular
race as the Grand Prix de Paris. and
as it always has been run on August Is
the combination OF the big race and the
holiday has caused ALI eyes to turn to
Deauville. The high prices OF last year
more than doubled for that one holiday,
ard the visitor who was late in decid-
ing to come to Normandy was lucky If
he could find billiard table for zoo
francs for the night.