Dieppe Travel Guide
City City in Normandy, France
Gravel beaches, a 15th-century château and a busy fishing port bring people to Dieppe. Walk the pebble shore, visit the maritime museum, sample scallops in harbour cafés, and learn about the town’s wartime history at memorials.
Why Visit Dieppe? #
A historic Channel port with a breezy seafront and an accessible, lived-in past. Dieppe’s château-musée and the old harbour district reveal maritime history, while the pebble beach and weekly fish market showcase the town’s scallop-rich cuisine. Visitors also come for wartime memorials and the mix of half-timbered streets and 18th-century façades that give the town a distinctive Norman character.
Top Things to Do in Dieppe
All Attractions ›
- Château de Dieppe - Seaside castle housing maritime and art collections overlooking the pebble beach.
- Dieppe beach and promenade - Long pebble beach with promenade, seafood restaurants and views towards the English Channel.
- Saint‑Jacques Church - Historic church notable for its maritime votive offerings and intricate interior woodwork.
- Pollet fishing quarter - Traditional fishing quarter with lively morning fish market and coastal character.
- Les Halles (Dieppe market) - Covered market selling local cheeses, produce and regional specialties on market days.
- Harbourfront alleys - Narrow streets beside the port with seafood stalls, small cafés and maritime atmosphere.
- Étretat - Cliffside village famed for dramatic chalk arches and coastal hiking trails a drive away.
- Le Tréport & Mers‑les‑Bains - Twin coastal towns with pebble beaches, cliff railway and pretty Belle Époque facades.
Best Time to Visit Dieppe #
Dieppe is best from late spring to early autumn when coastal breezes and mild temperatures make walks along the cliffs pleasant. Winters stay mild and damp, so plan beach time for warmer months.
Best Time to Visit Dieppe #
Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (699 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 79 mm of rain, mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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How to Get to Dieppe
Dieppe is best reached by regional rail to Gare de Dieppe or by road from Normandy and the Paris area; the town's small airfield does not handle regular international services. Public trains via Rouen connect Dieppe to Paris and the wider SNCF network.
Dieppe - Saint-Aubin / Dieppe aerodrome (no major scheduled commercial flights): Dieppe’s local aerodrome handles general aviation but not regular international flights.
Paris (CDG / ORY) or Beauvais (BVA): Most international visitors fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Beauvais (BVA) and then continue by train or coach to Dieppe. From CDG you can drive or take a combination of train and regional services; driving is about 2 hours depending on traffic, while public-transit options require transfers via Rouen or Paris.
Train: Dieppe’s main station is Gare de Dieppe; regional TER Normandy trains run between Dieppe and Rouen (Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite) with onward connections to Paris Saint-Lazare. A TER trip Rouen-Dieppe takes about 1 hour; Paris Saint-Lazare-Dieppe (with a change in Rouen) typically takes ~2-2.5 hours and fares are commonly in the €15-30 range depending on advance purchase and train type.
Bus / Coach: Regional buses and intercity coaches (including some FlixBus routes) link Dieppe to other Normandy towns and to Paris-area airports. Coaches are cheaper than trains for some routes but usually slower; expect travel times and fares to vary by operator and season.
How to Get Around Dieppe #
Dieppe’s centre is easily explored on foot - the seafront, the old fishing quarter (Le Pollet) and the casino are all close together. Local buses connect neighbourhoods and nearby towns, and there’s a train station with regional TER services to larger centres. Taxis are available but not abundant; if you plan day trips, check TER timetables in advance. In summer walking is the most practical option for visitors.
Where to Stay in Dieppe #
- Hôtel des Lys - Simple central hotel near the port
- Hôtel de Londres - Basic rooms close to the ferry terminal
- Hôtel & Spa Le Dieppe - Comfortable rooms near the seafront
- Hôtel de France Dieppe - Traditional mid-range hotel in town centre
- Mercure Dieppe (area property) - Upscale chain hotel near sea views
- Villa Mare (boutique villa) - Small upscale guesthouse with charm
Where to Eat in Dieppe #
- Le marché aux poissons (Dieppe Fish Market) - Fresh catch stalls and local sellers
- La Caravelle - Traditional Normandy seafood specialties
- Le Dauphin - Classic regional plates, fish-forward menu
- Le Bistrot - Comfortable bistro fare and local wines
- Crêperie du Port - Savory galettes and sweet crêpes
- Le Royal - Traditional French bistro classics
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Dieppe's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Dieppe #
Nightlife in Dieppe is modest and focused around a few bars, seaside cafés and the casino. Evenings are more relaxed than in large cities, with higher activity in summer. Live-music events and festivals boost the scene seasonally, but after midnight options are limited.
- Casino Barrière de Dieppe - Coastal casino with slot games, table games and occasional shows
Shopping in Dieppe #
Dieppe’s shopping centers on the waterfront and in Le Pollet offer local crafts, seafood shops and small boutiques. The town hosts regular markets where fishmongers and producers sell fresh catches and Normandy specialties. Look for seafood, local cheeses and regional packaged goods; many small shops focus on maritime and local artisan products.
- Le Pollet (old quarter) - Narrow streets with independent shops and seafood stalls near the harbour
- Marchés de Dieppe - Local markets and fish stalls selling fresh seafood and regional produce
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