Friends, craving salt air and striking white cliffs without a long journey? Dieppe, on Normandy's Alabaster Coast, delivers pebble beaches, a busy harbor, cliffside walks, and characterful museums.

It's the nearest true seaside getaway from Paris—easy on logistics and on the wallet. Use this smart, priced guide to plan a polished day or a slow weekend.

Why Dieppe

Dieppe pairs a long, windswept seafront with a lived-in fishing port and 19th-century villas. Expect big skies, sea light famed by painters, and excellent promenades. The city center is walkable; most highlights cluster between the beach lawns and the quays.

Getting There

From Paris–Saint-Lazare, trains (usually via Rouen) reach Dieppe in 2h10–2h30. Advance one-way fares often fall between $25–$55. Dieppe station sits a 10–12-minute stroll from the beach. Driving from Paris takes 2h30–3h30 depending on traffic; budget $18–$30 in tolls each way and parking from $1–$2/hour near the front.

Historic Castle

Perched above the west end of town, Château de Dieppe houses maritime art and global crafts in thick flint walls. Plan 60–90 minutes for galleries and sea views. Typical entry: $9 (discounts for students/children). Opening hours vary by season; afternoons are quieter, and sunsets from the ramparts glow over the beach lawns.

Harbor Walk

Start at Quai Henri-IV for a postcard line of tall houses, café terraces, and moored boats. The atmosphere changes by hour—market deliveries at dawn, sauntering strollers late day. Menus showcase local produce, simple crêpes, salads, and seafood plates; expect $12–$18 for mains and $4–$7 for pastries or a hot drink.

Pebble Beach

Plage de Dieppe unrolls for kilometers, backed by broad lawns and a stately boulevard. The pebbles keep water clear and the promenade clean. In cooler months, bundle up for bracing air; in summer, rent deck chairs for $6–$10 and dip when the tide is friendly. Even-numbered years bring a huge International Kite Festival in mid-September—free, photogenic, and lively.

Le Pollet

Cross to the right bank for Le Pollet, a fishing quarter tucked below chalk cliffs. Wander the cobbled Rue du Petit-Fort with its flint-faced cottages and timber details. Short on time? Aim for the clifftop lookout above the quarter for a sweeping harbor panorama, especially golden at day's end.

Swing Bridge

The elegant Pont Colbert—a late-19th-century swing bridge—connects Le Pollet to downtown. When harbor traffic passes, the deck pivots to let vessels through. It's a working piece of engineering theater; pausing here between errands is a small Dieppe ritual.

Sea Museum

Families and curious travelers should stop at Estran – Cité de la Mer, a coastal-life museum with hands-on displays and local maritime history. Budget 60 minutes; entry typically $7–$10. Exhibits explain cliff geology and sustainable shoreline practices, making the chalk coast easier to understand as you roam.

Art Homes

Architecture fans will love Villa Perrotte (1928), a crisp white Art Deco mansion with stained glass, sculptural ironwork, and period tiling. It often opens Thu–Sun, and admission is commonly free. It's a quick, stylish detour on Rue Jules-Ferry and a great contrast to the city's Belle-Époque brickwork.

Ango Manor

Ten minutes west, Manoir d'Ango blends flint, brick, and limestone into a striking Renaissance estate used as a summer residence centuries ago. Open in the warmer months, it features a remarkable domed dovecote and serene gardens. Plan 45–60 minutes; entry typically $9–$11, with family reductions.

Coastal Garden

Nearby, Bois des Moutiers unites a manor with sweeping parkland and themed plantings. Paths frame sea glimpses and seasonal color across broad lawns and wooded pockets. Expect $9–$12 entry when open; wear comfortable shoes—paths may be damp after coastal mist.

Greenway Ride

Bring or rent bikes to follow the Avenue Verte, a smooth greenway along a former railway from Arques-la-Bataille into the countryside. Family-friendly gradients and lake views make an easy half-day. Access is free; pack water and a light picnic. Detour to the atmospheric ruins of Château d'Arques-la-Bataille near the trailhead.

Nearby Gems

Short drives reward explorers: Veules-les-Roses charms with half-timbered lanes, working watermills, and a beach of pebbles merging to sand at low tide. Allow 2–3 hours to linger over lanes and the stream-fed pools. On rainy days, consider Château de Miromesnil, with wood-paneled rooms and a walled garden—guided visits usually $8–$12.

Apple Trails

Normandy's orchards shape local treats beyond any drinks. Look for farm stops selling fresh apple juice, vinegar, compotes, and tarte-style pastries. Many producers near Osmoy-Saint-Valery welcome walk-ins for tastings goods; expect $3–$6 per bottle of juice and $5–$9 for jars of jam or sauce.

Stays & Eats

Dieppe's compact center is perfect for short breaks. Expect $70–$120 per night for well-located midrange hotels; guesthouses and apartments can dip to $55–$85 off-peak. For meals, count on harbor-view brasseries, crêperies with veggie-friendly galettes, and bakeries for flakey viennoiserie. Quick lunches run $10–$15; sit-down dinners $15–$25 before dessert.

Practical Tips

Pack layers—the sea breeze shifts quickly. Pebble beaches favor sturdy soles or water shoes. Saturday mornings buzz around the market streets; arrive before 10:00 for the best produce and less crowding. Many small shops pause midday; plan museum entries for late morning or mid-afternoon.

Conclusion

Lykkers, Dieppe rewards unhurried travelers: a castle over the surf, a working port, cliff views, and garden escapes within minutes of each other. Which scene will you claim first—harbor stroll, greenway glide, or pebble-to-lawn sunset? Share your timing and interests, and tailor these picks into a relaxed, value-smart itinerary.