Dieppe, Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Dieppe (France) section of FerryCrossings.org, the site for information about major UK and continental ports and the ferries between them. Our site includes an introduction to a number of ports and feature pages about the various crossing ways, lanes and routes and companies operating between them to help you plan your journey and discover interesting travel destinations along the way. You can even compare prices and save money on your ferry tickets with ads from selected major ferry lines.

Port of Dieppe, France

Dieppe. Dieppe is a harbour town on the northern coast of Normandy which has scallops as one of its delicious claims to fame! It is a prosperous town that still retains the attractive character and flavour of its earlier history. In the 11th century it was a small fishing village but by the 14th century was already an important and strategic port. It was from Dieppe that 3,000 fugitive Huguenots fled France and religious persecution following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Although it was important as a port it's attractive pebbly beaches and high cliffs made it a popular seaside resort from the early 19th century and began to attract artists such as Renoir, Monet, Sickert and Whistler, and writers such as Flaubert, Maupassant and Oscar Wilde, to visit the town.

During the Second World War Dieppe saw battle between the Germans and the Allies, particularly in 1942 but, fortunately was spared the devastation that its more westerly neighbours, like Le Havre, suffered.

If your visit to Dieppe is 'just passing through' as you use the fery crossing, consider making time to stay for a while and discover the many attractions that it has to offer. In the Castle (The Chateau de Dieppe) is a museum with a fine collection of maritime artefacts and the carved ivory for which Dieppe was once famous. On Saturday its old narrow streets are filled with market stalls full of local produce, shellfish, cream and cheese. The old quay is an attractive promenade where you'll find unpretentious and comfortable restaurants and bars. Dieppe is also a good centre from which to explore the so-called 'Alabaster Coast' of this part of Normandy.