Dieppe

Visit Dieppe, Normandy

Dieppe is an important town on the Normandy coast. It originally developed in the 19th century as a popular tourist destination because it has the closest beach to Paris, although it is now better known for its port.

Exploring Dieppe

The town centre has a historical section and although there are few major sights it is pleasant to explore. Much of the town was destroyed by a fire in 1694 so there are not many buildings from the medieval period to be seen and most houses date from the 18th century onwards.

The Place du Puits Salé is the centre of the old town and it is here you can find the Café des Tribunaux which was once a popular haunt with painters and writers including Oscar Wilde when he was in exile. See also the churches of Saint-Remi and Saint-Jacques.

From here head to the medieval chateau, constructed in the 15th century and now home to the Musee de Dieppe.

The museum is particularly well-known for its collection of carved ivories from its days as an ivory trading port, and for its art collection which includes works by such well known artists as Braque, Renoir and Delacroix. In a raised position above the town, the castle is a great place to get a good view of the town.

The fishing port of Dieppe, the Quai Duquesne and the Quai Henri IV are pleasant places to stop for a coffee or for lunch at one of the restaurants lining the harbour. There are also several grand townhouses ('hotels') such as the College des Oratoriens and the Hotel d'Anvers, bearing witness to the 19th century glory days in Dieppe, around the two quais.

The beach at Dieppe is a pebble beach at high tide, but a sandy strip emerges at low tide.

Attractions nearby

Near to Dieppe at Varengeville is the Bois des Moutiers. The house was designed by Edwin Lutyens and the gardens were designed by Lutyens in collaboration with Gertrude Jekyll. The park and gardens lead to the sea and contain a mass of rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas and has a wonderful pergola - a common sight in gardens which Lutyens and Jekyll collaborated on.

Photos of Dieppe (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Dieppe: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; Listed town of Art and History;

Suggested places to visit near Dieppe, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Caudebec-en-Caux 51km; Le Crotoy 51km; Rouen 53km; Fecamp 53km; Jumieges Abbey 57km; Fort-Mahon-Plage 58km; Yport 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Dieppe

Dieppe tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Bois des Moutiers - remarkable garden (6km) : Jardin de Miromesnil - remarkable garden (7km) : Jardins de Bosmelet - remarkable garden (25km) : Jardin de Bellevue - remarkable garden (30km) : Clos du Coudray - remarkable garden (31km) : Parc de Galleville - remarkable garden (31km) : Hable-d'Ault - site of natural beauty (38km) : Autretot - ville fleurie 4* (39km) :

French version: see Dieppe (Francais)