Thysia’s 28th birthday led us to the charming town of Dieppe, just a four-hour drive from home. We spent four days here, together with Thysia’s mom, aunt, and grandma – a fun family getaway. Dieppe, a cozy town in Normandy, turned out to be a total heart-stealer! Though small, it’s bursting with life. Think cute shops, cozy cafes, and incredible restaurants. Add in some cool medieval buildings, a beach, and a charming port, and you’ve got a town that’s just oozing charm. As icing on the cake, the annual Herring and Scallop festival was taking place that weekend. We collected everything you need to know about this under-the-radar destination in our ultimate Dieppe travel guide.
🇫🇷 Language: French
💰 Currency: Euro
⏳ Best time to visit: June to September
The best things to do in Dieppe
The port of Dieppe
One of our favorite places in Dieppe has to be the lively port, nestled right in the heart of the town. It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll along the harbor, and enjoying the hustle and bustle of fishing boats going about their business. Take a seat on the terrace of one of the many bars and cafes that reside around the port, and watch the spectacle of the drawbridge opening and closing. And don’t forget about the many seafood restaurants here, too! They all serve mouthwatering seafood dishes.
Pro tip
Want the absolute best view of the port? Head to Le Patio, a rooftop bar with great cocktails and even more awesome panoramic views. Sipping on your favorite drink while overlooking the bustling port is a must-do when in Dieppe!
Castle of Dieppe
Sitting high on a hill with a view of the beach, the castle of Dieppe treats you to amazing sights of Dieppe and the waterfront. Although it’s now a museum, we missed peeking inside because it was closed during our visit. But hey, the outside views were so awesome, making the trip up the hill totally worth it!
Church of Saint-Jacques
Saint-Jacques is Dieppe’s oldest and biggest church. It was originally built in the 12th century, and used as a pilgrimage church on the way to Santiago de Compostela. We visited the church during restoration work, so unfortunately we were not able to admire everything in its full glory. The works consist of four phases, from which three have been completed already. So if you’re eager to see the final product, we suggest waiting another year or so. 😉 The things that were already finished, like the stained-glass windows, were really beautiful, though!
Good to know
Every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM, there’s a market taking place right in front of the Eglise Saint-Jacques. It spans multiple streets, squares and even parts of the port, and is the largest market in Normandy. Starting your Saturday morning with a visit is an amazing experience. Hundreds of local vendors all trying to sell you the freshest fish, fruits, cheese,… So much to see, do, and eat!
Church of Saint-Rémy
Saint-Rémy is Dieppe’s other great church. It was built in the 16th century and has been a listed building since 1910. The outside rocks a classic gothic look, but step inside, and it’s a whole different story. This was definitely our favorite church in Dieppe! Under colorful stained glass windows you’ll spot gorgeous golden details. What really stood out to us was the black ambulatory around the cloister. Beautiful to see! This church is a must-visit if you’re into beautiful churches with a mix of styles.
Dieppe Beach
When we say the small town of Dieppe has everything, we really mean everything, including a beach! Now, we went in November, so it wasn’t exactly bikini weather. Nonetheless, the awesome walkway that’s hugging the beach lets you soak in the cool sea breeze and take in some gorgeous views. You’ll also find countless World War II memorials from the US and Canada spread along the coast, all in sublime condition. Visiting the beach is a must, especially as the sun sets!
Pro tip
If you’re thinking of visiting Dieppe in the summer, just know it’s not a sandy beach but more like a stony one. So, pack your flip-flops (or walking shoes 🥾) accordingly!
Turrets Gate
Right by the beach, you can spot the Turrets Gate, the only gate left from the old walls around the medieval part of Dieppe. This impressive monument is like a snapshot from the past when Dieppe was a big deal as one of the country’s main ports. Don’t expect to spend hours and hours here, but just walking through them will give you a taste of what it was like all those years ago. It’s a neat piece of history right in front of you!
Herring and Scallop festival
Happening every third weekend in November, the annual Herring and Scallop festival is all about Dieppe’s deep connection with the ocean and fishing. It’s a major highlight of the year, drawing over 100 000 visitors from different countries! For a “commune” of just under 30 000 residents, that sure says something.
The festival takes place in the heart of Dieppe with dozens of different seafood stalls scattered along the harbor. From scallops and herring, to salmon and shrimp – you name it, they’ve got it! And don’t think it smells bad with all that fish lying around. The fish couldn’t be fresher, and with the local chefs grilling herring and scallops, the scent that remains is one to remember. On top of that, the people behind the grill are rocking ski goggles to keep the smoke out of their eyes. This is a pretty hilarious sight! 😂
And it’s not just seafood. Local vendors are in on the action too, offering up cheeses, charcuterie, champagne, cider, and so much more. You can stroll around for hours, soaking in the lively and cozy vibes, all while tasting some delicious local specialties. A weekend in Dieppe never felt so short!
Where to eat in Dieppe
Le Comptoir à Huîtres
If you’re a seafood enthusiast, you can’t miss out on our top pick in Dieppe: Le Comptoir à Huîtres. This place stole our hearts with its cozy Parisian brasserie vibe where the food is just amazing. Even though it’s not in the heart of Dieppe (just a pleasant 10-minute walk from the port), it’s a detour totally worth making!
There’s no set menu at Le Comptoir à Huîtres, you get to pick from the fresh catch of the day they bring and present right at your table. Everything we ordered was delicious and bursting with flavor, and that says something. Knowing that there were five of us, all with starters and a (different) main course, we sure tried a lot of the menu! We both found that the star of the evening was the grilled lobster. The whole dish, including the “sauce” based on garlic and olive oil, was so good that we were tempted to return the next day for more. Unfortunately the restaurant is closed on Sundays. Be sure to make reservations to secure your spot in this seafood paradise!
La Marmite Dieppoise
La Marmite Dieppoise is all about tasty seafood and local dishes from Normandy. What’s cool is they have wallet-friendly menus to make sure you get a taste of everything without breaking the bank. We went for the most “expensive” one, a 6-course menu at the modest price of € 46 – totally worth it! With five of us, we got to try a bit of everything they offer. Although every dish was delicious, we do have some recommendations on must-tries.
Start with oysters or a seafood plate – both winners. If raw fish isn’t your jam, go for the zucchini soup with scallops, so goood! This soup probably is the most original option out of the 3, and we confirm it’s at least equally delicious. The main course highlight is definitely “La Marmite Dieppoise,” a mix of fresh fish, langoustines, and mussels in a delicious creamy sauce. Next up, unlimited picks from a bunch of local cheeses, all brought to your table by the waiter or waitress. And for the sweet ending, we recommend the apple pastry with calvados, salted butter caramel, and apple sorbet. Trust us, you won’t leave hungry! 😉
Le Trèfle
Situated in the casino of Dieppe, Le Trèfle not only serves up delicious dishes in a modern setting, but also treats you to a stunning sea view. We went for the Le Trèfle menu at € 35, including a starter, a main, and a dessert. An amazing deal for a Sunday lunch, both price and location wise!
We kicked off with the focaccia featuring girolles and shiitake, this was so good! We were really surprised at how delicious such a simple dish could be. It probably had something to do with the freshness of the shiitake. For the main course, we went for the sea bass with pumpkin purée and the chicken curry with veggies. The sea bass was a flavor explosion! A giant piece of fish cooked to perfection, with a delicious pumpkin puree underneath and almond flocks on top. The chicken curry, a bit on the spicy side for us, could’ve used a touch more seasoning on the greens. Nothing a little salt and pepper can’t fix!
For dessert we tried the roasted figs with cinnamon ice cream and the puff pastry with orange blossom cream, honey, and nuts. Kelvin was over the moon with his dish. Not because of the tasty figs or orange blossom cream, these were great too, but because of the super delicious cinnamon ice cream! Kelvin’s a real sucker for cinnamon, and Le Trèfle did not disappoint. Last but not least: the presentation of all dishes was magnificent!
Quai 11
Quai 11 is a cozy little restaurant along the harbor. It offers amazing views of the Port, and has lots of delicious items on the menu. The seafood in particular is delicious! From fresh oysters and mussels to amazing seafood platters, there is something for everyone. Make sure to order some champagne to accompany your oysters, it’s a must. 😋 If the weather is sunny, be sure to take a seat on their terrace to watch the fishing boats come and go.
Where to stay in Dieppe
Dieppe is not that big, so you can do everything on foot. Since we were in Dieppe for four days during the Herring and Scallop festival, we booked an apartment for 6 people near the port. The first thing that amazed us was the ideal location of our Airbnb. The moment we stepped outside our apartment, we were already in the middle of the festival! Our Airbnb had 3 bedrooms, an equipped kitchen, and a large living room. We even had a small balcony with a view of the harbor!
The only drawback was the bathroom where we had to shower in the bathtub. This was not very convenient since the shower head was not attached to the wall or anything. Having to hold the shower head in one hand and your shampoo in the other was less than ideal! Other than that, everything was great, and we would definitely come back here! We had some fun times here, especially the (French-)karaoke evenings are something we’ll never forget. 😂
Other than near the port, the beach is also a very good location to stay. We stumbled upon Villa Castel Chambres d’hôtes B&B when we climbed the castle and immediately fell in love with this charming villa! The rooms are spacious and modern, and breakfast is included. There is no doubt we will stay here next time if our Airbnb is fully booked!
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