A Short Guide To Dieppe, France | Normandy Port Town

It was the start of an epic European road trip, and despite the sun-drenched ferry crossing, the weather in northern France was decidedly cold.

We hadn’t originally planned to stay in Dieppe, France – in all honesty, we were hellbent on heading much further south to the warmth of southern Spain.

But a combination of exhaustion from a big UK drive and desperately wanting a cup of chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) had us heading into this popular port town a few hours after leaving Calais. And for 24 hours, Dieppe was the perfect hub: a comfortable hotel, leg stretching city walk, hot chocolate, steak frites, lively bars, boulangeries, and wonderful shops to stroll around.

Is Dieppe the prettiest town on this coast of France? Well, no (sorry Dieppe!) For that, you’ll want to visit Caen, La Rochelle, or the magical city of Bordeaux.

Yet I’d definitely recommend a stop in Dieppe.

First a port town, Dieppe is a thriving place. There’s an incredible selection of cafes and restaurants, with heaps of independent stores amongst the narrow streets. Plus, the harbour, beach, and medieval buildings are well-worth a visit. There’s a ton of history here too, including the Battle of Dieppe during WW2.

Whether you’re travelling around Normandy, or taking a break on your way from the UK, Dieppe is an excellent first stop in northern France.

Here's a short guide to Dieppe, including where to shop, visit, and where to stay. 

Dieppe, France essentials

• Only 2-hrs from Calais and the perfect first stop in Northern France.

• Located in Normandy.

• Busy port town.

• Historic churches and castle.

• Explore heaps of local shops, stores, and markets.

• Plus, enjoy Dieppe’s cafes and restaurants.

Hotels In Dieppe, France

Despite being a small town, there’s tons of places to stay in Dieppe to suit all budgets.

• Hôtel de la Plage | This hotel overlooking the beach has spacious and modern rooms, many of which have a balcony and sea view. There’s also a private garden for guests to enjoy, whilst the hotel is only a 10-minute walk from town. Book here.

• L'Échappée - Hôtel Casino | Not my style, but reviews are excellent and it’s a popular place to stay in Dieppe. You’ll find the hotel beside the castle and the town centre is only a 10-minute walk away. Book here.

• Hôtel Restaurant l’Éolienne | A small hotel 2-miles from Dieppe centre. Although the rooms are basic, the restaurant downstairs is wonderful and staff friendly. This is where we stayed on our trip and would recommend as a budget friendly option. Book here.

• Villa Castel B&B | Rooms in this excellent little villa are bright and modern, and come with breakfast. Close to town and has excellent reviews. Book here.

How to get to Dieppe, France

There are two ways to reach Dieppe from the UK:

• Drive from Calais | Take the Dover to Calais ferry, which takes around 1.5-hours (find out more here). Once in France, drive to Dieppe down the west coast. This drive takes around 2-hours on the A16 motorway (toll road). Or 2.5-hours on the toll-free D-roads.

• Ferry from Newhaven | This DFDS ferry crossing takes around 4-hours. Book tickets and check the timetable here.

Best things to do in Dieppe, France

1. Walk along the beach

The Normandy coast is not short of beautiful beaches and white cliffs. My personal favourite is the wonderful sandy beach at coastal town Étretat, however, if you’d prefer to stay close to town, you can easily walk to Dieppe beach. Whilst there’s no soft sand, the rocky shoreline is fringed with a promenade and park for lounging.

Sadly, the winter temperatures put us off spending time at Dieppe beach, but we’re assured it’s the perfect spot on a warm summer’s day! Find it here.

2. Stroll Around the Port

You’ll find Port de Dieppe right in the heart of town. Walk along the marina, have a coffee in one of the many cafes around the quay, and watch the colourful fishing boats come and go. Whilst there’s not much sign of Dieppe’s seafaring history here, this harbour is still a reminder that Dieppe was once an important maritime port. 

3. Visit the churches

• Church Saint-Jacques | Construction on this church began in the 12th century, although it wasn’t completed until the 16th, with the addition of a 42m high belfry tower and chevet. Famously a stopping for pilgrims on their way to Saint Jacques de Compostela. Find it here.

• Church Saint-Rémy | Built in the 16th century, this imposing gothic building was designed to replace the ruins of a 13th century church of the same name. Nowadays only a tower remains from the original (you’ll find it near the castle) but the church is worth a visit. Find it here.

4. Explore Dieppe’s old town

Dieppe is a compact town and the best way to explore is on foot. Walk from the harbour into the old town and explore the maze of narrow streets. Once here, a few places worth exploring are:

• Dieppe Castle | Located on the hill above Dieppe, this 12th century castle has been fully restored. Once a medieval fortress, today Dieppe Castle is a museum and home to various exhibitions and historical artefacts. Find it here. 

• Old town | Follow the narrow winding streets around Dieppe’s old town. A good place to start is Quai Henri IV on the quayside (here on Google Maps), which leads to Grand Rue (here on Google Maps), Place Saint-Jacques (here on Google Maps), and the main square (here on Google Maps).

5. Sample the local food scene in Dieppe

Given its Normandy location, there’s an abundance of delicious produce to sample. Whilst I recommend exploring Dieppe’s streets for foodie gems, consider visiting these gems:

For speciality /deli produce

• Torréfaction Dieppoise who specialise in all things coffee and wine (here)

• L'Epicier Olivier for delicious cheese (here)

• C'2 Normandie a deli selling a range of gourmet morsels (here)

• Roussel Chocolateries for sweet treats (here)

For local drinks

• La Barrique for artisan French beer (here)

• Olivier Millésime for lovely French wines (here)

For fresh produce

• Royal Fruits, a treasure trove of fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese (here)

• Boucherie Maurouard, for meat eaters this specialist butcher has excellent charcuterie (here)

• Don’t miss Dieppe market, where 200 stalls sell every type of Normandy fish, cheese, fruit and veg imaginable. Visit on a Saturday (here)

6. Eat Fresh Croissants for breakfast

Fresh bread, croissants, and delicious cakes are an essential part of French culture, and you’ll find plenty of boulangeries and patisseries selling tasty morsels in Dieppe. If Dieppe is your first French stop then you’ll want to make the most of these tasty morsels.

These bakers each have excellent reviews:

• Boulangerie Masson (here)

• Au Fournil D'Elena (here)

• Torréfaction Dieppoise (here)

• Aux Pains Populaire (here)

• Maison Morel (here)

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