With its deep harbour protected by white cliffs, Dieppe has long been a favourite destination for cross-Channel visitors. As for daring Dieppe sailors, they explored the globe. Learn about the town’s history at Dieppe Castle and in the memorial museum dedicated to the tragic Dieppe Raid of 1942. Head for the beach, quays and restaurants, and don’t miss the town’s famous Saturday morning market, voted ‘France’s Finest Market’ in 2020.
Why should you visit Dieppe?
Dieppe was the first French seaside resort 200 years ago. It has retained its beautiful seafront promenade. Officially listed as a town of art and history (Ville d’Art et d’Histoire), Dieppe is a dynamic and lively port. At weekends, the café terraces along the harbour are packed. Some shops are even open on Sundays. Every two years, the International Kite Festival puts on a magical show. Dieppe transforms its seafront into a giant playground for inspired and internationally acclaimed kite flyers.
More than 100,000 people attend the annual herring and scallop fair in November. Here, more than anywhere else, herring has played a dominant role. Nicknamed ‘the king of fish’, it was the driving force of the local economy until the 1970s. The scallop is associated with this event, as Dieppe is France’s leading scallop port.
What to see and do in Dieppe
- The castle and its museum: Built in the 15th century on the western cliff, the sandstone and flint fort houses the museum’s collections: seascapes, ivories carved by Dieppe craftsmen from the 16th century, paintings by Boudin, Lebourg and Pissaro, and prints by Braque. The Vieux-Château houses the city’s maritime heritage and one of the finest collections of ivories in Europe.
- The seafront: Dieppe’s seafront is set back from the beach. It is home to Europe’s largest seafront lawns, playgrounds and an outdoor swimming complex.
- Church of Saint-Jacques: This grand medieval pilgrimage church is dedicated to St James of Compostela. It includes many magnificent Gothic features inside and out, including a fine rose window and a 130ft tower added in the 15th century.
- Church of Saint-Rémy: This major church was constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries, while its central spire dates from the 18th century. Inside, the fine wood panelling in the choir, the organ case and the Renaissance decoration in the treasury are all worth the visit.
- The square in front of the church is called ‘Place Naâman‘, in remembrance of the famous reggae singer who was born in Dieppe and who sadly passed away in 2025.
- ESTRAN Cité de la Mer: This museum dedicated to the sea imparts interesting details on Dieppe’s maritime traditions, from shipbuilding to fishing. Local geology is also covered, while aquariums display fish and sea creatures from the Channel.
- Les Tourelles gate: This is the only surviving gate from the medieval town ramparts. It was used as a prison during the French Revolution, and is now a private residence.
- The Puits Salé square: In the heart of the town, the present-day well is a reminder that seawater used to mix with freshwater in the well when the tide came in. Note the 18th-century Norman building that houses the famous Café des Tribunaux, where Oscar Wilde and Guy De Maupassant used to drink.
- The port: Dieppe is nicknamed ‘the town of four harbours’. The marina, the cross-channel port, the commercial port and the fishing port form the heart of the town. The trawlers and big boats create a magnificent palette of colours that still attracts many painters today. For many years the commercial port was France’s leading banana port.
- The Memorial Museum: A former Dieppe theatre transformed into a museum dedicated to the doomed Dieppe Raid of August 1942, when a joint British-Canadian attack on the German-defended coast here ended in catastrophe for the Allies. Learn about the plan, code-named Operation Jubilee, and how lessons were learnt from its failure for the preparation of D-Day and Operation Overlord in Normandy two years later.
- The Pollet neighbourhood: Located on the eastern side of the harbour, this was the traditional fishermen’s quarter of town and it preserves many fishermen’s homes built in typical bands of flint and stone.
- Dieppe golf course: Set beside the dramatic cliffs between Dieppe and the neighbouring resort of Pourville to the west, this golf course was founded late in the 19th century and affords fabulous sea views. It was originally designed by specialist architect Willie Park Junior, attached to the Royal and Ancient in St Andrews, Scotland.
Dieppe’s culinary specialities
Sugar, butter and apples… that’s the secret of the ‘Caramel de Pommes Dieppois’ apple spread. Made in Dieppe by the Ateliers d’Etran, this sweet and tasty spread is sure to delight your taste buds! On the savoury side, the town is also famous for its herring and scallops, which you can sample during the festivals in November, and for its creamy ‘Marmite Dieppoise’ dish, which you savour in the restaurant bearing the same name.
Market day in Dieppe
Dieppe’s most emblematic market is undoubtedly the Saturday morning market, which was crowned ‘France’s most beautiful market’ in 2020. Here you’ll find fishermen, producers, farmers and gardeners from the surrounding area… It’s the ideal place to buy quality Normandy produce!
How do I get to Dieppe?
- By train: from Paris Saint Lazare with a connection at Rouen station
- By ferry: crossings to Dieppe are available from England (Newhaven) and are operated by DFDS. The crossing takes approx 4 hours. Dieppe is the closest beach to Paris.
- By coach: Dieppe is served by several lines of the Nomad Car network. Long-distance buses also serve the town from Paris.
- By bike: Dieppe is crossed by the Avenue Verte Paris-Londres and by the Vélomaritime, which links Roscoff to Dunkirk.
A weekend in Dieppe
Our train trip ideas
Explore Normandy at your own pace and enjoy a more responsible holiday. You’ll also find some of our best addresses: hotels, restaurants and places to visit, all accessible without a car.
Things to see and do near Dieppe
Le Château de Miromesnil: (Tourville-sur-Arques, 6 km from Dieppe). The birthplace of Guy de Maupassant, this 16th-century château bears the marks of the Marquis de Miromesnil and Maupassant himself.
Just 15 minutes from Dieppe, stop off at Varengeville-sur-Mer. You won’t regret the detour! It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Alabaster Coast. The church and its maritime cemetery dominate the coastline. Inside there is a stained glass window by artist Georges Braque. Not far from here, plants flourish. The Parc du Bois des Moutiers is one of the most visited gardens in France. It has an impressive collection of giant rhododendrons. The Shamrock Garden is home to the largest collection of hydrangeas in the world.
A Normandy Experience to enjoy
A 90-minute guided tour on an off-road electric scooter, departing from Quiberville-sur-Mer. At the end of the tour, enjoy a special aperitif with local produce overlooking the sea.
Useful information for your stay
Discover Dieppe with Whatizis, the first (free) mobile application for visual recognition of monuments. Is there a place that inspires you? Take a picture of it, discover its history thanks to various contents and let yourself be guided. Learn more about Whatizis.