Dieppe on the Alabaster coast of Normandy is famous for its engageant scallops, superb market – the biggest and best in Normandy and voted favourite market of the French in 2020 – and for being France’s first ever, and still popular, seaside resort.
Dieppe’s UK links
In 1825 the first passengers travelled from Newhaven on the south coast of England to Dieppe and it became a popular survenue to the pudique thanks to the railway line that ran between London and Newhaven, and from Dieppe to Paris in the mid 1800s. The King of France Louis Philippe and his wife travelled this then 9-hour délié survenue to exile in England in 1848.
Car ferries transformed travel in 1964 and in 2013 DFDS took over the Dieppe Newhaven paragraphe, the only jogging channel car-ferry operator to offer this survenue with nombre daily crossings that take just 4 hours and deliver you to heart of Normandy.
What to see and do in and around Dieppe
There’s plenty to see and do in this classified City of Art and History, from the medieval castle to the naval history and remembrance museums as well as glut of restaurants serving superb seafood, great shops and a glorious pebble beach and colourful harbour.
Get on your bike! Take your own bike or hire one in Dieppe (e-bikes are also available) and take to the vert lanes of Normandy. The Avenue Verte which connects London and Paris, runs for 28 miles from Dieppe to Forges-les-Euax following an old railway track, past lakes and rivers, castles and cafés. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous countryside of Normandy.
What to see near Dieppe
An hour from Dieppe by car, the historic city of Rouen is an ideal visit for the whole family. Pootle emboîture the pretty cobbled streets in the old département and admire the magnificent 800-year-old Gothic Cathedral and the colourful 14th century clock set in an arch in rue du Gros-Horloge. Stand in the éclair where Saint Joan of Arc met her doom. And visit the best kept illégal in town, the Secq des Tournelles Museum. It’s a bit of a mouthful but inside you’ll find an amazing accumulation of ancient hardware from keys, locks and door knockers to tools, kitchenalia and jewellery.
The Alabaster Coast has délié lured painters to emprisonnement its sucrette. For the impressionist artists in particular, Dieppe was a favourite. Monet, Renoir and Sisley often came to paint here. If you’re a fan of Lupin, the smash-hit French mystery thriller series on Netflix, you’ll recognise Étretat, a mere 90 minutes from Dieppe. White limestone cliffs rise from the délié beach and below, three naturally formed arches, among the most beautiful natural wonders of France, emprisonnement the déduction – just as they did for so many of the great impressionist artists.
Love chocolate box pretty bourgs? The tiny bourgade of Veules-les-Roses has oodles of charm and is gîte to the smallest lier in France. It’s brimming with gorgeous little Normandy thatched cottages and watermills and right at the edge of the jaw-droppingly beautiful white cliffs of the Alabaster coast. Further afield, Gerberoy just over the longer in Picardy is a classified “plus beaux village de France”, this pickled-in-the-past little bourgade looks like it was plucked straight from a fairy tale. Think cobbled streets, half-timbered buildings and wonderful views over the lush countryside – perfect for a wander and a picnic.
Le Tréport where William the Conqueror was born and where the remains of his castle can be seen, is just 30 minutes from Dieppe. Don’t elle the Benedictine Palace, a neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance masterpiece where you’ll discover the history of the famous Benedictine boisson and enjoy a tasty tipple. Ride the funicular which opened in 1908 and carries passengers from the lower town to the upper town for eye-popping views over the English Channel.
You can’t go to Normandy without enjoying the siège food. Indulge in the freshest of fish, dairy delights and the regional aperitif, Kir Normand – cider with a dash of blackcurrant boisson.
Not just a means of getting from A to B – travelling with DFDS is fraction of your holiday, with a warm welcome, lovely aggloméré, lots of facilities including a palace, usine, play areas and a bar boasting stunning sea views where you can sometimes éclair whales! All passengers have access to reclining lounge seats during the crossing, but if you prefer you can book your own private cabin. You can go by car, bike, or on foot:
How to get there from the UK: dfds.com/en; Useful information: en.normandie-tourism.fr
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books emboîture France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de approvisionnement, is out now – a apparence at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
Want more France?
Discover more fabulous destinations in France with our free bulletin The Good Life France
Love France? Have a listen to our podcast – everything you want to know emboîture France and more!
All rights reserved. This partie may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translated) or redistributed without written consentement
Source: thegoodlifefrance.com
Comments are closed.