Dieppe, its quays, its sea wall, its beach

(S) Start at the southern end of the Bassin Duquesne, in town. Facing the Bassin Duquesne, head left towards Dieppe’s historic town centre and turn immediately right to follow the quay along the basin to the very end.
At the roundabout at the northern end of Bassin Duquesne, do not take the bridge, but cross Rue du Quai du Carénage and head straight across to the square with the fountain.

(1) On the square, do not go straight on towards the beach, nor turn left towards the town centre, but turn right onto Quai Henri IV.

(2) Continuing along this quay, follow the edge of the recreational sailing boat basin, then carry on along Quai du Hable until you reach the entrance to the sea wall.

(3) Walk along the sea wall as far as the lighthouse.

(4) The lighthouse: the end of the land and the beginning of the sea, or vice versa. Turn round and head back towards the beach, passing in front of the Château-Musée de Dieppe.

(3) Walk along the beach to Bas-Fort-Blanc, the end of our route (S/E).

Return. You can return via the same route or through the town centre streets.
Car park. Several parking spaces are available near (S).
SNCF railway station. The terminus of the Rouen–Dieppe SNCF line is a 5-minute walk from (S). On 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 numerous restaurants.

Please note! The sea wall is exposed to wind and sea spray. In the event of heavy weather, follow the weather warnings.

Before setting off on the walk, take a moment to look around you. Look ahead to the Bassin Duquesne, its boats, the Pont du Pollet at the far end of the Bassin Duquesne and Quai Henri IV in the distance beyond the Pont du Pollet – that’s where the path leads us. Look to your left at the historic centre of Dieppe. Look to your right at the working-class neighbourhood of Le Pollet. And look behind you at the hinterland, the Arques Valley.

The Bassin Duquesne is fed by the River Arques, which gave its name to the neighbouring town of Arques-la-Bataille – the site of one of King Henry IV’s battles – and which therefore has its own quay in Dieppe. Take the time to stroll past the trawlers and scallop boats moored in the Bassin Duquesne. Dieppe, a major fishing port specialising in scallops. Abraham Duquesne, a sailor from Dieppe who served in Louis XIV’s navy (1610–1688). Take the time to wander amongst the bars and restaurants, which serve beer and mussels and chips at all hours.

At the entrance to the breakwater. To your left (west, port side), you’ll see the beach, its seafront, its pebbles and, beyond that, Dieppe Castle and the high white chalk cliffs. To your right (east, starboard side), you’ll see the outer harbour. The lighthouse. Breathe in the fresh air deeply, facing out to the open sea, the English Channel. On the other side of the ‘Channel’ lies the town of Newhaven in England. Dieppe beach stretches from the sea wall to a place known as ‘Bas fort blanc’. It is approximately 1.5 km long.

The route takes you past Dieppe town centre on your left. Here you’ll find all the amenities and charms of a typical French town centre: historic monuments, narrow streets lined with old houses, public squares, shopping streets, and so on.

Nearby:

• Pourville Beach
• Ruins of Arques-la-Bataille Castle
• Miromesnils Castle.