Discover all of the museums in Dieppe and the surrounding region at: https://www.dieppetourisme.com/bouger/visiter/tous-les-sites-de-visite/

The history of Dieppe is closely linked with maritime history. Built on a mound of shingle at the mouth of the deep river that gave it its name (mentioned by the Vikings as far back as the 10th century), the town of Dieppe subsequently expanded over the tall cliffs that dominate the settlement. Destroyed several times up to the 18th century, its architectural heritage nevertheless retains many traces of the past, notably in the form of the 15th century castle that proudly towers above the town and beach. Don’t miss the remains of the fortified walls made from the sandstone and flint that are so typical of the region. Linger in front of these 14th and 16th century churches, the districts of little steep and twisting lanes overlooked by flint houses, and the manor houses and stately homes in the surrounding area all bear witness to a rich and abundant history that can be seen at every single glance as you take a cultural walk around the town.

In the 19th century - thanks to the enthusiasm of the Duchess of Berry - Dieppe became an extremely popular seaside resort. Accompanied by her courtiers, the Duchess started the trend for bathing in the sea, thus ushering in a century of holidays at the seaside. Dieppe became a haven for the aristocracy who, in their turn, were the patrons of numerous impressionist artists. Architecture was not neglected, either, with the construction during this time of the theater, casino, and even a bath house - directly on the beach! Thus, Dieppe opened itself up to the sea and became the most popular getaway for the people of Paris. An important port, a cosmopolitan holiday resort, frequented by artists, and on the Paris-London axis, Dieppe was at its zenith until 1914.

You'll be able to discover this priceless heritage in your strolls through the old town, visits to monuments, rambles through the famous District of the Pollet - intimately linked with the life of the port - and in the Îlot de Sainte-Catherine sector.

Pissarro said: "Dieppe is a wonderful place for a painter who likes life, movement, colors."

The most renowned impressionist artists came to savor the ambiance of Dieppe, their easels in tow. These "plein air" (open air) painters - Pissarro, Degas, Gauguin, Renoir, Boudin, Sisley, Monet, Sicker, Whisler and Blanche - wanted to take advantage of the nuances of the maritime sky, observe the changing effects of the light through the filter of the clouds, and study the reflections bouncing off the water. They chose the landscape of the Seine-Maritime and - in particular - that of Dieppe and its surrounding countryside for their aesthetic inspiration. A mixture of chalk formed from marine sediment and alternate layers of flint, the cliffs are the real living heritage of the Côte d'Albâtre, surrounding Dieppe with a backdrop of ever-present evolution. The colors and shadows change constantly depending on the light and tides. This is exactly what the artists came in search of.

Discover the beautiful gardens of the region at: https://www.dieppetourisme.com/decouvrir/se-mettre-au-vert/

From this incredible land, enthusiasts have created magnificent gardens, notably in Varengeville-sur-Mer and the surrounding area. They are a delight for the eyes. Visiting these gardens, at different seasons, will be without any doubt one of the highlights of your stay.

Nowhere else in France or, indeed, in Europe offers so many exceptional gardens for you to visit. They are the fruits of the constant and intensive labor of men and women who truly love nature and never cease in their efforts to tame the land.

These extraordinary gardens, which in their turn are part of even more remarkable landscape, are right there in the villages around Dieppe. The proximity of the sea, the nature of the soil, the sunlight and the cool climate play a major role here and - from May to September - the gardens abound and present themselves in all their flamboyance, magnanimity and opulence. These special places bid welcome to visitors from all around the world, including learned scholars, experienced gardeners and enthusiastic fans of this captivating realm.

These special places bid welcome to visitors from all around the world, including learned scholars, experienced gardeners and enthusiastic fans of this captivating realm.

Framed all along one side by chalk cliffs, Normandy is really just one immense garden, with the jewels of this surprising region's natural heritage including magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas, andromeda shrubs, camellias, viburnum, clematises, roses, irises, cistus, astilbes, hydrangeas, peonies, bluebells, yarrow, foxgloves, and so many other rare flowers and plants.

Each of the individual gardens - which are sometimes in private hands and whose owners throw them open to visitors during the warmer months of the year - is a marvel in itself, evoking significant aesthetic and sensory emotion. In these nourishing and flowering gardens, taste and vision are intertwined, combining deliciousness and beauty as is reflected in our way of life every single day of the year.

Rouen: This "City of One Hundred Steeples" is nestled in the hollow of a bend of the Seine and was a major city of the Middle Ages and then the "City of the Cotton Factories" in the 17th century. Today, it's a veritable and richly layered museum of a city.

Le Havre and Fécamp: A royal city founded by King François I, Le Havre was destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt thanks to the formidable work of Auguste Perret.

The abbeys of Normandy - a historic route: In Seine-Maritime, close to the majestic windings of the Seine or in Bec-de-Caux, nine abbeys await our visit - some of them over a thousand years old and absolute marvels of Roman and Gothic Normandy art. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the ruins of Jumièges and other splendors.