Summary
Achieving acclaim as the nearest beach to Paris, the coastline at Dieppe is characterized by an extensive array of 19th-century mansions and hotels that emerged when seaside resorts first gained popularity.
The windswept pebble beach offers a refreshing experience in the winter and promises timeless enjoyment in the summer months.
However, Dieppe encompasses much more than merely a resort, as one can appreciate at the bustling fishing port adorned with colorful houses.
The city is abundant in maritime allure, reflected in its historic fishing neighborhoods and an ancient castle replete with treasures from 16th-century maritime voyages.
Dieppe is situated on the Cô te d’Albâtre (Alabaster Coast), which was cherished by impressionist painters such as Monet, Renoir, and Sisley, who visited to capture the scenes of the white cliffs and coastal villages.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Dieppe:
1. Château de Dieppe
Perched to the west of the harbor and fishing port, Dieppe’s 15th-century castle stands as the city’s oldest structure, having survived a significant bombardment by the Anglo-Dutch fleet in 1694. The castle, composed of flint and sandstone, features a rectangular layout with circular towers at each corner; however, its interior is what truly captivates visitors.
Inside, there are three rooms dedicated to Dieppe’s 17th-century ivory trade with Guinea, showcasing solar discs, fans, tobacco graters, snuff boxes, and intricately sculpted medallion portraits (if one overlooks the origins of these items). The art collection also includes 12 works by the cubist artist Georges Braque, who is interred nearby in Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer.
2. Église Saint-Jacques
Dieppe’s principal church began construction in the 1100s and was not completed until the 1500s, making it a comprehensive representation of all stages of Gothic architecture in France.
The western rose window exhibits intricate traceries, and one may attempt to count the gargoyles adorning the facade, totaling over one hundred.
The distinguished fleet owner Jean Ango, who provided King Francis I with vessels for global exploration, was a benefactor of the church in the 15th century.
He commissioned the carved frieze in the Chappelle du Trésor, depicting Brazilian natives as described by sailors and explorers returning to Dieppe from their voyages.
3. Dieppe’s Fishing Port
On foot, one could enjoy a delightful few hours meandering through the quays and fishing district of Dieppe.
The logical starting point is Quai Henri IV, boasting Dieppe’s most impressive waterside structures, along with an abundance of bars, restaurants, and cafes offering beautiful views over the forest of boat masts leading to the Pollet Quarter.
Recognized as France’s scallop capital, the fishing boats in the harbor embark on brief excursions, returning to sell their fresh scallops at the early-morning quayside market.
4. Plage de Dieppe
While the beach is pebbly, this does not detract from the appeal of Dieppe’s primary beach, which stretches for kilometers beyond the city’s western edge.
The foreshore features expansive lawns, serving as a green belt that separates the beach from the striking 19th-century hotels, mansions, and apartment complexes along Boulevard de Verdun.
During the cooler months, visitors can enjoy the refreshing sea air, which is invigorating and prompts a hearty appetite before heading to the fishing harbor for lunch.
Moreover, for those who visit in mid-September during even years, the biennial International Kite Festival brings vibrant colors and a full schedule of events to the beach.
5. Le Pollet
The most charming neighborhood in Dieppe is Le Pollet, situated on the right bank of the Arques estuary at the base of the chalk cliffs.
Instead of circling around the harbor, visitors may opt for a shortcut via Pont Colbert, which will be discussed shortly.
Le Pollet features enchanting old streets, such as the cobblestoned Rue du Petit Fort, which rises from the waterside and is lined with painted timber-framed houses and picturesque fishing cottages with flint walls.
A brief stroll up the cliff leads to the Notre-Dame de Bonsecours chapel, offering Dieppe’s finest panoramic views of the city and its fishing port.
6. Le Pont Colbert
The bridge connecting Le Pollet to the remainder of Dieppe is remarkable in its own right.
Le Pont Colbert is recognized as the world’s oldest swing bridge operating with its original mechanism.
In constant use as the primary route to access downtown from Le Pollet, it offers a fascinating display when maritime traffic necessitates its operation.
This historic structure dates back to 1889 and exemplifies the ingenuity of late-19th century engineering.
Efforts continue to ensure the bridge is preserved as a historical monument.
7. Estran – Cité de la Mer
This museum, located in the former fishing district, provides an extensive overview of the natural and cultural history of the Channel.
Comprising over 1,600 square meters of exhibition space, visitors can engage with Dieppe’s historical trades, including shipbuilding and fishing, alongside aquariums showcasing local species.
The natural history displays highlight the formation of the local chalk cliffs and efforts to preserve coastal ecosystems.
8. August 1942 Memorial
Located within a 19th-century neo-Renaissance theater on Place Camille Saint-Saëns, a modest exhibition commemorates the Anglo-Canadian raid on Dieppe on August 19, 1942. The ill-fated attack resulted in substantial casualties within hours, underscoring the prolonged timeline before the Allies could execute a successful invasion of mainland Europe.
The exhibition features documents, photographs, weaponry, and uniforms from the period of the raid, complemented by a 40-minute film showcasing firsthand accounts from participating soldiers.
9. Villa Perrotte
Rue Jules Ferry is adorned with red-brick Belle Époque townhouses, and midway along the street lies a striking, asymmetrical white Art Deco mansion that stands apart from the surrounding architecture.
Constructed in 1928, Villa Perrotte was commissioned by Pierre Perrotte, a prosperous fish oil merchant, and designed by the Parisian architect Louis Filliol.
Open from Thursday to Sunday, visitors can enter at no charge to admire the stained-glass windows, wrought-iron details, marble fireplaces, and exquisite floor tiles.
The villa also displays contemporary art, ensuring a captivating experience.
10. Manoir d’Ango
Previously discussed Jean Ango, the 16th-century fleet owner at the Church of Saint-Jacques; you can discover his residence just ten minutes west of Dieppe.
Open between April and September, Ango’s manor house is a beautiful brick and flint palace designed by Italian architects, serving as a summer retreat until Ango’s demise in 1551. One notable feature in the courtyard is one of the most remarkable dovecotes in existence, exhibiting a Byzantine-style dome and walls adorned with alternating bands of flint, brick, sandstone, and limestone.
This dovecote, a symbol of status during the Renaissance, was capable of housing over 3,200 birds, complete with 1,600 pigeonholes.
11. Bois des Moutiers
Located in the Pays de Caux countryside near Manoir d’Ango is a magnificent garden and manor house boasting stunning sea views.
Upon acquiring this land in 1898, Guillaume Mallet enlisted the renowned British gardener Gertrude Jekyll and architect Edwin Lutyens to design an expansive park, which took over 40 years to complete.
This garden is recognized as a “jardin remarquable” in France and features 12 hectares of towering Himalayan rhododendrons, magnolias, and Chinese azaleas surrounding a beautiful mock-Tudor manor house.
The harmonious relationship between the garden’s design and the house’s layout was thoughtfully conceived.
12. Avenue Verte
Beginning in Arques-la-Bataille, the Avenue Verte is a 40-kilometer cycling route along the former Paris-Dieppe railway.
Although the railway line no longer exists, it has been replaced with smooth tarmac that allows for a leisurely ride through lush green farmland.
This route is ideal for family excursions, with a 12.6 kilometers ride leading to St-Vaast d’Equiqueville alongside a series of large lakes.
These lakes are remnants of Dieppe’s shipbuilding industry, where rock was excavated for vessel ballasting.
At the journey’s beginning, take a few moments to explore the haunting 14th-century ruins of the Château d’Arques-la-Bataille.
13. Château de Miromesnil
Guy de Maupassant, the celebrated 19th-century author, was born at this splendid property located 10 kilometers from Dieppe.
Visitors can explore the interiors and view the room where he was born.
One room has been preserved as a mid-19th-century lounge, providing insight into the château during Maupassant’s family residence.
The remainder of the building features wood paneling, wrought-iron work, and furnishings typical of a stately home from the 1700s.
The expansive grounds are also noteworthy for their beech forest and a 200-year-old Lebanese cedar tree.
The walled kitchen garden showcases an array of fruits and vegetable plots teeming with butterflies during summer.
14. Veules-les-Roses
The Pays de Caux has served as a muse to many renowned artists, drawn to the dramatic beauty of the soaring chalk cliffs.
Claude Monet spent time in Pourville, adjacent to Dieppe, in 1882, where he captured the coastal landscapes through his paintings.
Veules-les-Roses, a charming village approximately 15 minutes’ drive from Dieppe, is characterized by its medieval churches and three operational watermills.
These mills are powered by the River Veules, which nourishes bubbling pools rich in watercress.
The village is nestled within a small gap in the cliffs, and the beach is comprised of both pebbles and sand.
15. Apple Country
Normandy is renowned as the apple capital of France, with this fruit central to numerous regional specialties.
La Gentilhommière, accessible by car from Dieppe in Osmoy-Saint-Valery, features a cider press situated in a splendid 17th-century mansion surrounded by extensive orchards.
Here, visitors receive insights into the pressing, fermenting, and bottling processes of Normandy cider, as well as details about Calvados, the apple brandy produced on-site.
The shop offers an array of products for purchase, including both beverages, freshly-pressed apple juice, and cider vinegar.
Another local delicacy is the celebrated neufchâtel cheese, which pairs excellently with Normandy cider, known for its sharp yet creamy flavor profile.
