Dieppe sits on Normandy’s Alabaster Coast, a historic port cradled between chalk cliffs and the Channel. It’s a place of sailors and artists, medieval churches and Belle Époque facades, pebble beaches and colorful bathing huts. Its castle-museum guards the headland; below, the harbor flickers with trawlers that bring in the scallops that have made Dieppe a culinary reference.

The city’s fortunes rose with ivory carving and maritime trade, then darkened during the 1942 Dieppe Raid—commemorated in moving memorials. Today, it’s lively, friendly, and thoroughly walkable. Weekends glow with one of France’s great markets, while the GR21 coastal path tempts hikers with broad views toward Pourville and Varengeville-sur-Mer.

Getting here is easy: take a train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Dieppe in about 2h10–2h30; compare times on Omio Trains. From the UK, the Newhaven–Dieppe ferry sails in roughly 4 hours; check sailings on Omio Ferries. For flights into Paris, browse options on Omio Flights, then connect by rail.

Dieppe

Dieppe is equal parts seaside escape and living museum. Stroll Quai Henri IV for brasseries and fishmongers; climb to the clifftop Château-Musée de Dieppe for ship models and renowned ivory work; linger in the Gothic nave of Église Saint-Jacques, a waymarker for pilgrims to Santiago.

Food is the city’s heartbeat: think coquilles Saint-Jacques (in season), buttery galettes, and the local fish stew “marmite dieppoise.” Pair it with cider from the Pays d’Auge or a small snifter of Calvados. Art lovers can trace Monet at nearby Pourville; history buffs will find powerful WWII remembrance across town.

Where to stay: Search apartments and seaside homes on VRBO Dieppe, or compare hotels near the beach and harbor on Hotels.com Dieppe (look in the Pollet quarter for old fishermen’s lanes and by the seafront for sunrise views).

How to get here and around: From Paris, TER trains to Dieppe take roughly 2h10–2h30 (often 1 change in Rouen), typically €20–€35; compare and book on Omio Trains. From the UK, Newhaven–Dieppe ferries run ~4 hours; see routes on Omio Ferries. Within Dieppe, you’ll mostly walk; for day trips, combine regional trains and buses via Omio and Omio Buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Harbor Breeze, and Norman Comforts

Afternoon: Arrive in Dieppe and settle into your hotel or apartment near the beach. Stretch your legs along the wide pebble shore and the grassy promenade with its iconic beach huts. For a first taste of local life, order an espresso and tarte aux pommes at the historic Café des Tribunaux on Place du Puits Salé, a Belle Époque institution buzzing from breakfast to nightcaps.

Evening: Dinner by the boats at Le New Haven (fresh turbot, scallops when in season, and honest service). If you prefer a classic Norman seafood stew, book La Marmite Dieppoise; their namesake dish layers local fish, shellfish, and cream—perfect with a dry cider. Cap the night with a slow stroll down Quai Henri IV, where harbor lights ripple against the masts.

Day 2: Medieval Dieppe and the Castle on the Cliffs

Morning: Start with a flaky croissant and café crème at Café des Tribunaux or a flat white from Torréfaction Dieppoise (a local roaster) and head to Église Saint-Jacques, a florid Gothic pilgrimage church rich with maritime votives. Wander the lanes to Église Saint-Remy, whose baroque organ and serene chapels reward an unhurried visit.

Afternoon: Climb to the Château-Musée de Dieppe for sweeping coastal views and collections that tell the town’s story—from model ships to intricate ivory carvings. On your way down, browse fish stalls and tiny oyster bars along the harbor. Lunch at Tout Va Bien, a friendly quay-side brasserie serving moules-frites and market fish.

Evening: Reflect at the Dieppe 1942 Memorial Museum (check opening hours outside peak season), then choose a refined dinner at Le Turbot—noted for precise cooking and a strong wine list—or go bistro-casual at Le Bistrot des Barrières for steak-frites and seasonal specials. Toast with a glass of Pays d’Auge cider or a neat Calvados.

Day 3: The GR21 to Pourville and Seaside Flavors

Morning: Pack a light picnic from the covered market or a bakery run (baguette, fromage, rillettes de maquereau). Follow waymarks of the GR21 coastal path west from the seafront toward Pourville-sur-Mer. The chalk cliffs and meadows—favorites of Monet—unfurl in grand, white-green arcs.

Afternoon: Relax on Pourville’s beach and enjoy your picnic, or sample galettes from a beachfront crêperie. Return to Dieppe by bus or on foot; if you’re back early, pop into Estran Cité de la Mer, an engaging maritime museum with aquaria and exhibits on tides, fishing, and coastal ecology.

Evening: Try L’Auberge du Vieux Puits back in town for hearty Norman classics (think duck, cream, apples) or circle back to the harbor for a seafood platter piled with whelks, prawns, and oysters. A sunset amble along the jetty makes a perfect digestif.

Day 4: Day Trip to Rouen — Cathedrals, Half-Timbered Lanes, and a Local’s View

Morning: Take an early TER to Rouen (about 1h–1h15; often direct). Check times and fares on Omio Trains, ~€10–€18 each way. On arrival, marvel at Rouen Cathedral, a gothic marvel painted by Monet, then thread into streets lined with half-timbered houses.

Afternoon: See Rouen through a resident’s eyes on this private tour: Rouen Private Walking Tour with a Local (Lokafy). Expect personalized storytelling, lesser-known corners, and café stops tailored to your interests.

Evening: Train back to Dieppe for dinner. Keep it breezy with a plate of choucroute de la mer at Tout Va Bien or grilled fish and a glass of Muscadet at Le New Haven. If energy allows, walk the seafront promenade under the lighthouse beam.

Day 5: Varengeville-sur-Mer and Veules-les-Roses

Morning: Head southwest by car or regional bus to Varengeville-sur-Mer (check regional options on Omio Buses). Visit the clifftop Church of Saint-Valery, famed for its seafarers’ cemetery and a stained-glass window by Georges Braque, who is buried here. The headland views over Cap d’Ailly are spectacular.

Afternoon: Continue to Veules-les-Roses, one of France’s officially “Most Beautiful Villages.” Walk the streamside path tracing the tiny River Veules past watercress beds and mills to the beach. Snack on a buckwheat galette or seaside ice cream, then meander the rose-trimmed lanes.

Evening: Return to Dieppe for dinner. For a relaxed final plate of the day, order the catch of the day or a steaming pot of moules at Le Bistrot des Barrières. Pair with a crisp cider and save room for salted-butter caramel crêpes.

Day 6: Fécamp or Étretat, then Spa Time Back in Dieppe

Morning: Choose your excursion: Fécamp for the flamboyant Benedictine Palace—part distillery, part museum, with tastings—or Étretat for the needle and arches carved into cliffs. By car it’s ~1h15–1h45; public transport typically 2–2.5h using regional trains/buses (plan with Omio).

Afternoon: Return to Dieppe and unwind at Les Bains de Dieppe (thalasso and seawater pools next to the beach; reserve treatments if desired). If the weather turns, linger longer at Estran Cité de la Mer or browse the shops around Place du Puits Salé for edible souvenirs—caramels, cider, and sea-salt butter.

Evening: Celebrate with a table at Le Turbot for a refined, produce-driven menu or keep it traditional at La Marmite Dieppoise. A final harbor walk—wind in your coat, gulls overhead—feels like a curtain call.

Day 7: Market Morning and Farewell

Morning: If today is Saturday, dive into the Dieppe Market, frequently cited among France’s best. Nosh your way through farm cheeses, apple tarts, and charcuterie. Any other day, visit the quay’s fish stalls to see the day’s catch arrive with the tide.

Afternoon: Savor a last lunch at Le New Haven or Tout Va Bien, then make your way to the station or ferry. Trains to Paris take around 2h10–2h30—compare departures on Omio Trains. For UK-bound travelers, check Newhaven sailings via Omio Ferries.

Evening: Departure day—if you’re lingering, catch sunset from the clifftop near the castle for one last postcard view.

Where to Eat and Drink (Quick Picks)

• Café des Tribunaux: Historic café-brasserie for croissants, omelets, and late-night drinks on a handsome square.
• Le New Haven: Harbor favorite; order scallops in season and the plateau de fruits de mer.
• La Marmite Dieppoise: Signature fish stew and traditional Norman recipes done right.
• Le Turbot: Refined plates, attentive service, and a thoughtful wine list—book ahead on weekends.
• Le Bistrot des Barrières: Casual bistro comfort—daily specials, steak-frites, and good value.
• Torréfaction Dieppoise: Local coffee roaster for a mid-morning pick-me-up and beans to take home.

Practical Notes

• Best time: Late spring to early autumn for hiking and beach walks; scallop season shines from fall to early spring and includes a lively festival some years.
• Getting in/out: Flights to Paris via Omio Flights, then train via Omio Trains. From the UK, check the Newhaven–Dieppe route on Omio Ferries.
• Stays: Compare beachfront hotels on Hotels.com or book homes with views on VRBO.

Seven days based in Dieppe lets you enjoy a true Normandy rhythm—market mornings, cliff-top hikes, and harbor sunsets—without rushing. With Rouen, Varengeville, and Veules-les-Roses within easy reach, you’ll sample medieval art, maritime history, and coastal beauty in one elegant loop.