Dieppe 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.

Main image
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Costs
Affordable coastal town budgets
$90-140 USD per day for typical visitors; budget lower, splurge for seaside seafood.
Safety
Mostly safe with basics to watch
Generally safe; watch for petty theft in busy areas.
Best Time
Best in late spring and summer
Late spring-summer (May-August) for mild weather and coastal promenades.
Dieppe was the site of the ill-fated 1942 Allied Dieppe Raid, a major WWII operation with heavy Canadian losses.
Local Time
12:37 AM
GMT+2
Weather
Partly Cloudy 64°F
Partly Cloudy
Population
35,707

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.

Best Things to Do in Dieppe#

Dieppe Bucket List#

Don't Miss

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.

Hidden Gems

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.

Day Trips

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.

Winter

December - February

3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F)

Mild, damp winters with frequent grey skies; rain keeps promenades quiet but museums and cozy cafés remain inviting year-round indeed.

Spring

March - May

6°C to 15°C (43°F to 59°F)

Cool, breezy and blossoming; spring is perfect for cliff walks and fewer tourists but pack layers and expect occasional rain.

Summer

June - August

14°C to 22°C (57°F to 72°F)

Warm, mostly pleasant summers with sea breezes, ideal for beach walks, seafood and outdoor markets though occasional showers cool things.

Climate

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).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

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.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
6.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 18°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
14° 20°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
14° 21°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° 19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

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.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
6.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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 is best accessed by rail to Gare de Dieppe or by coach from larger transport hubs; within the town walking, cycling and short taxi hops work well. Driving is useful for exploring the wider Normandy coast.

  • TER regional train (€5-30) - TER Normandy runs regular services to/from Gare de Dieppe, notably Dieppe-Rouen. Trains are reliable and are the best public option to reach Dieppe from Rouen and beyond. Book in advance for the lowest fares; peak summer weekends can fill up.
  • Intercity coach (FlixBus / regional operators) (€5-25) - Coaches provide budget links to Paris and other regional centres; they’re cheaper than trains for some routes but often slower and subject to road traffic. Check schedules carefully - frequency can be limited and stops may be outside the town centre.
  • Car / Rental (€35+/day) - Driving gives the most flexibility for exploring the coast and surrounding Normandy countryside. Parking in Dieppe town centre is available but can be tight during summer; watch for paid zones. Rentals can be collected at nearby larger airports (Rouen/Paris) and driven to Dieppe in about 1-2 hours.
  • Taxi / Local buses (€2-25) - Local buses and taxis cover short hops within Dieppe and the immediate area. Taxis are convenient for transfers when luggage or schedules make trains or coaches awkward, but fares are higher than public buses.
  • Bicycle (€8-25/day) - Dieppe’s compact layout and coastal cycle routes make biking an enjoyable way to get around in good weather. Many rental shops in the summer season.
  • Walking - Dieppe’s seafront, harbour and historic centre are best enjoyed on foot - the town is compact and very walkable. Walking is the simplest way to move between beaches, the castle and the ferry terminal.

Where to Stay in Dieppe#

Budget

Port / City Centre - €50-120/night

Dieppe has inexpensive, straightforward hotels and family-run guesthouses near the port; options are limited outside summer weekends, so reserve early.

Hôtel des Lys - Simple central hotel near the port

Hôtel de Londres - Basic rooms close to the ferry terminal

Mid-Range

Seafront / Market - €100-160/night

Mid-range hotels cluster by the seafront and market area - convenient for beaches, seafood restaurants, and the ferry to the UK.

Hôtel & Spa Le Dieppe - Comfortable rooms near the seafront

Hôtel de France Dieppe - Traditional mid-range hotel in town centre

Luxury

Seafront / Promenade - €160-260/night

Dieppe has few true luxury hotels; a couple of higher-end chain or boutique properties offer sea views and upgraded services.

Mercure Dieppe (area property) - Upscale chain hotel near sea views

Villa Mare (boutique villa) - Small upscale guesthouse with charm

Where to Eat in Dieppe#

Seafood & Market Eats

Dieppe’s coastal identity means scallops, fresh fish and a lively fish market dominate the eating scene, especially in summer.

  • 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
Bistros & Crêperies

Small bistros and crêperies serve Normandy staples: buttery crêpes, cider and hearty seafood stews packed with local flavor.

  • 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.

French
Regional
Kebab
Pizza
Burger
Seafood
Crepe
Steak House
Chinese
Arab
Fish
Poke
Donut
Grill
Local
Sushi
Indian
Korean
Oyster
Hot Dog

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.

Nightlife in Dieppe#