Dieppe

All About Dieppe

The mass evacuation during Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk is one of the most talked-about events from World War II. A lesser-known infamous incident is that of Operation Jubilee that took place on 19th August 1942 in Dieppe. On this black day, Allied forces raided the beaches of Dieppe, only to suffer mass casualties, most of whom were Canadians. The city, however, has always had a strong connection with Canada. A vital trading port in the 16th-17th century, many early settlers in Canada had left the shores of France from Dieppe. Taking a ferry to Dieppe is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

Modern-day Dieppe is a town eager to step into the future while making sure it remains true to its past. Located along the northern coast of France, in the Normandy region, it sits on the mouth of the river Arques. The city’s proximity to Paris made it France’s first seaside resort in 1822. Now, though, tourists visit Dieppe not only to sunbathe on its beaches but also to taste its famous scallops, revel in its festivals and bask in its idyllic charm.

Routes and Ferries to Dieppe

The most popular way to reach Dieppe is by taking the 4-hour ferry from Newhaven in the United Kingdom. The ferry company DFDS has four sailings a day between the two coastal cities, making Dieppe a popular weekend getaway with the Brits. Ferry tickets to Dieppe are available to purchase via Ferryscanner. The boats voyaging across the English Channel are well-appointed with comfortable seating, bars, shops, and restaurants. A return ticket from Newhaven to Dieppe costs €58.

As the closest seaside retreat from Paris, there are regular trains from France’s capital to Dieppe. This journey takes two hours. Furthermore, the city has good railway connections with Rouen. It is possible to cover these two routes by bus, which is a slower but cheaper option.

To reach Dieppe quickly from elsewhere in mainland Europe, fly into Paris followed by a train or bus ride to the coast. Dieppe-Saint-Aubin Airport is the local two-runway aerodrome, used only for recreational activities, helicopters, and small planes. Many tourists from overseas often fly into London Gatwick and then take the ferry to Dieppe.

Port of Dieppe

As a multi-functional harbor, the Port of Dieppe attends to fishing boats, cargo ships, ferries, and private vessels. The marina, in particular, is set-up beautifully with restaurants and a lively ambiance along the quays. Those arriving with ferry tickets to Dieppe will find the terminal having a café, toilets, tourist office, and other basic facilities. Taking space on both sides of the river, the port is a 20-minute walk from the center. While bus and taxi stands are outside the ferry terminal, the train station is only 500 meters away.

Best Beaches

The beaches of Dieppe are remarkably unique treasures snuggled in-between dramatic chalk cliffs of Normandy’s coast. A day by the water, in and around Dieppe, is full of fun and entertainment for the entire family.

Plage de Dieppe

Dieppe’s main beach is an expansive area that stretches for 1.6km all the way from the harbor. The pebbled shoreline is infamous for being the central point of the Dieppe Raid in 1942. Along the promenade, memorials commemorate the various Allied battalions that landed in Dieppe on that fateful day. Situated near Chateau de Dieppe and the city casino, the beach has kiosks, a skatepark, free parking, and showers. During summers, there are lifeguards on duty, bathing huts, and kids activities by the waterside.

Plage du Petit Ailly

An inland drive of 20 minutes to the town of Varengeville-sur-Mer brings beachgoers to the quaint cove of Petit Ailly. Surrounded by white cliffs, the beach is typically uncrowded. The sea views from the shore are stunning, and the water ideal for a swim. Popular with dog walkers and fishing enthusiasts, the beach has a small car park. While many locals come here with children, Petit Ailly is a clothing-optional beach.

Plage de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer

Located 30 minutes by car from Dieppe, Plage de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer is a colorful beach that takes on a whole new persona during the warmer months. Primarily a pebble beach, a sandy stretch emerges magically from the sea when the tide is low. Come early to the beach, and you can buy fresh seafood directly from the fishermen bringing in the day’s catch. A playground, windsurfing, and kite surfing keep visitors busy throughout the year. Beachside cafés open up during tourist season, and that’s also when lifeguards monitor the waters.

Plage du Veules-les-Roses

A must-visit beach when staying in Dieppe, Plage du Veules-les-Roses is a full-day excursion. The supervised beach itself is pebbly during high tide and sandy during low. It has a lovely promenade, cliff views, a play area, bathrooms, restaurants, and pools. The main reason to spend the day here, though, is a stroll through the picturesque village of Veules-les-Roses. While doing so, keep aside an hour to walk alongside France’s smallest river, the 1150-meter long Veules.

Le Tréport Beach

About 40 minutes north from Dieppe is the gorgeous Le Tréport Beach. With striking white cliffs on both sides, the beach has an intimate feel about it, accentuated further by the jovial atmosphere one experiences in the evenings. Amenities on the beach consist of WCs, showers, rentable beach huts and loungers, and lifeguards from June to August. Le Tréport Beach is disability-friendly, allows dogs on the edges, and is a great place to fish. The lighthouse by the beach gives it added temperament, as does the free funicular that takes visitors up the hill for magnificent views of the town and the sea.

Places to Visit

The touristic places to visit in Dieppe cater to a range of interests. Gourmands will relish restaurants like Le Turbo Dieppe and Comptoir à Huîtres that serve the very best of the local specialties such as scallops and herring. Seafarers arriving with ferry tickets to Dieppe can head back into the English Channel for fishing and boat trips that promise stunning views of the Alabaster Coast. At the same time, history buffs can dive deep into Dieppe’s role during WWII through museums.

Chateau de Dieppe

Built under King Henry II’s orders in 1188, Dieppe Castle lies atop a hill overlooking the city and the sea. A former prison and barracks, the chateau underwent several renovations over the centuries. It has been a museum since 1923, with a compilation of 25,000 artifacts. Among its wonders are an impressive ivory collection, paintings by Pissarro, and models of ships that once docked at the port. Guided tours, activities for children, and memorable vistas from the castle make it an essential place to visit in Dieppe with the family. The entry fee for an adult is €4.50.

Le Memorial du 19 Aout 1942

Le Memorial du 19 Aout 1942 honors the sacrifice of the Allied soldiers who laid their lives during the Dieppe Raid. The museum takes up space in an old theatre building from 1826 and is somewhat of a pilgrimage for many Canadians whose family members were part of Operation Jubilee. On display in the museum are documents, models, uniforms, vintage video footage, photographs, and a memorial commemorating the soldiers who went missing or were killed.

Saturday Market

Voted as ‘France’s Finest Market’ in 2020, Dieppe’s Saturday market is a wonderful opportunity for tourists to interact with residents while shopping for traditional products. When roaming around the 2km long stretch packed with stalls, one can taste regional gastronomic delights, pick up clothes, and find cheap souvenirs to take back home. Held along Grand Rue and some of its side streets, the market gets really crowded by lunchtime.

Kite Festival

Watch the Dieppe sky come alive during the International Kite festival, which is held every other year. Since 1980, thousands of skilled kite fliers and spectators from around the world come to Dieppe to participate in this week-long event. The kites come in a myriad of shapes and sizes and the festival’s theme changes each time.  Since this event is free to attend, planning ahead is essential.

Les Bains Aquatique and Spa

Fun in the water isn’t just limited to the summer months in Dieppe. Les Bains is an aquatique and spa that remains operational throughout the year. The general public can access different pools, a gym, wellness center, event space, and a restaurant for a nominal fee. Among the swimming pools are an open one with salt water, one for training, a paddling one for kids, and an activity pool for all ages.

Transportation Around Dieppe

Dieppe is a lovely small town where it is possible to walk from one attraction to another with ease. Another way to see the city and its surroundings is by renting a bicycle. The local bus service includes routes to various Dieppe neighborhoods from the train station and city center. Passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Dieppe can catch a bus to different French cities from the harbor.

A car rental in Dieppe serves best if planning to travel around Normandy, visiting some of its other popular towns like Cherbourg, Le Havre, and Rouen. Taxis, although expensive, is a flexible option when covering short distances near the city.