Dieppe, its quays, its sea wall, its beach and its Place Duquesne

(S/E) Start at the southern end of the Bassin Duquesne, in the town centre. Facing the Bassin Duquesne, turn left towards the historic town centre of Dieppe and immediately turn right to follow the basin along the quay until the end (north-west).
At the roundabout at the northern end of the Bassin Duquesne, do not take the bridge, but cross the Quai du Carénage and turn onto the square with the fountain opposite.

(1) At the square with the fountain, do not go straight ahead towards the beach or left towards the town centre, but turn right onto Quai Henri IV. Continue along this quay, following the marina. Continue along Quai du Hable, then turn right onto Boulevard du Maréchal Foch until you reach the promenade running alongside the beach. Once on the promenade, turn right (north-east) towards the entrance to the sea wall and the lighthouse. Walk along the sea wall until you reach the lighthouse.

(2) The lighthouse, the end of the land and the beginning of the sea, or vice versa. Turn around and head back towards the beach. Walk along the beach by the sea until you reach Bas-Fort-Blanc.

(3) When you reach the end of the seaside promenade, under the cliff at Bas-Fort-Blanc, turn around (east) towards the sea wall. Pass in front of the Château-Musée de Dieppe and continue to the children's playground.

(5) Turn right (south) to leave the beach via Boulevard du Maréchal Foch towards the town centre. Enter the centre via Rue de la Morinière until you reach Grande Rue.

(6) Turn left (northeast) onto Grande Rue to return to Quai Henri IV. When you reach Place Duquesne, a large square with a large statue, leave Grande Rue by turning right to cross the square (from north to south) towards the church.

(7) At the end of Place Duquesne, turn left (east) to join Quai Duquesne via the small Rue Saint Jean.
On Quai Duquesne, turn right and follow the same route as on the way there but in the opposite direction (south-east) to return to the starting point (S/E).

Loop. The route is a loop in an anti-clockwise direction. Start heading north, then turn west and then south.
Pebbles or not? The route involves walking on the beach, i.e. on pebbles. Physical walk. You can avoid the pebbles by taking the seafront promenade. At very low tide, it is possible to walk on the sand.
Car parking. Several parking spaces are available near (S/E).
SNCF train station. The terminus of the Rouen-Dieppe SNCF line is a 5-minute walk from (S/E). When leaving the station, turn right towards the boats.
Town centre. Dieppe is a town of 30,000 inhabitants with all the usual amenities.
Restaurants. The Quai Henri IV is home to many restaurants.

Alternative route at point (6). Take a detour towards Place du Puits Salé by turning right onto Grande Rue. When you reach Place du Pré Salé and the brasserie "Les Tribunaux", turn around and take Grande Rue in the opposite direction to return to point (6).

Caution! The sea wall is exposed to wind and sea spray. In case of heavy weather, follow the weather warnings.

Before starting the walk, take the time to look around you. Look ahead to the Bassin Duquesne, its boats, the Pont du Pollet at the end of the Bassin Duquesne and the Quai Henri IV in the distance beyond the Pont du Pollet. That is where the path leads us. Look to your left to see the historic centre of Dieppe. Look to your right to see the working-class neighbourhood of Pollet. And look behind you to see the hinterland, the Arques Valley.

The Bassin Duquesne is fed by the Arques River, which gave its name to the neighbouring town of Arques-la-Bataille, the site of one of King Henry IV's battles, who therefore has his quay in Dieppe. Take the time to stroll alongside the trawlers and shellfish boats moored in the basin. Dieppe, a major fishing port for scallops. Abraham Duquesne, a Dieppe sailor in Louis XIV's army (1610-1688). Take time to stroll among the bars and restaurants, which serve coffee, beer and mussels and chips at all hours.

At the entrance to the sea wall. To the left (west, port side), discover the beach, its seafront, its pebbles and, beyond, Dieppe Castle and the high white chalk cliffs. To the right (east, starboard side), discover the outer harbour. The lighthouse. Breathe in the fresh air, with your nose turned towards the open sea, the English Channel. On the other side of the Channel is the town of Newhaven in England. Dieppe beach stretches from the sea wall to a place called "Bas fort blanc" (white fort). It is approximately 1.5 km long.

Town centre. The return route passes through the town centre. Here you will find all the amenities and delights of a French town centre. Historic monuments, narrow streets with old houses, public squares, shopping streets, etc. The tour takes you through two squares popular with Dieppe residents, the Puits Salé and the Statue Duquesne. However, Dieppe has many more remarkable places and buildings to offer. Follow the guides.

In the surrounding area for beach lovers:

• Pourville Beach.
• Quiberville Beach.
• Varengeville-sur-Mer.

Nearby for history lovers:

• Puys Beach
• Ruins of the fortified castle of Arques-la-Bataille.
• Miromesnils Castle.
• Ango Manor.