Dieppe

Description:

Introduction

Dieppe is an important fishing and trading port on the on the Seine-Maritime coast in Upper Normandy and popular with visitors from France, UK, Holland and Belgium especially. The port offers regular ferry services to Newhaven in Sussex.

Dieppe also has a popular beach and is said to be the closest to Paris.  The town has a 15th-century castle and the churches of Saint Jacques and Saint Rémi. Towards the end of November each year, the town celebrates its local herring industry with the Fete des Harengs when grilled herring with local cider or wine can be enjoyed on the quays.

Geography

Dieppe is squeezed between the cliffs of the north Seine Maritime coast at the mouth of the river Arques. It is some 40km (25m) from Rouen and 150km (95 m) from Paris. Newhaven by ferry is approximately 4hours.

Economy
The economy of Dieppe is much dependant on fishing and tourism; the ferry link to Newhaven is important in this context.

Culture
During the late nineteenth century, Dieppe was a popular seaside resort for English and other artists.  The town also has the recently-renovated municipal theatre known as the Petit-Theatre which was associated particularly with the composer Camille Saint-Saëns.

Tourism

Dieppe is a popular seaside resort in spite of its pebble beach and as an important fishing port, famous for shellfish especially scallops, the fish markets are worth visiting. As are the many fish restaurants.  Another popular attraction is the castle, the Château de Dieppe, which is now a museum, with a. collection of 17th- and 18th century ivory carvings and artifacts, including lace fans, for which Dieppe was known, and many articles and papers formerly the property of Camille Saint-Saens.

Worth a Visit

The fish markets and restaurants, the Estran Cite de la Mer, a maritime museum and aquarium, and the Chateau de Dieppe.

Sporting & Other Activities

Dieppe is an important base for all types of seagoing craft. And there are facilities for sea fishing trips, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and underwater diving.

Other activities include golf, at the Dieppe Golf Club, mini-golf, horseriding, bowling, swimming, karting, flying at the aeroclub. and horseracing at the Hippodrome de Dieppe. Freshwater fishing, including trout and sea trout, on the rivers Arques and Bethune, as well as coarse fishing on freshwater lakes and ponds is also possible.

Dieppe's Casino is not far from the newly opened hydrotherapy centre known as 'Les Bains', which has indoor and outdoor pools, spa, fitness and saunas baths. The centre is open all year.