Harbour

Dieppe

4.5Dieppe, FranceCôte Fleurie and Alabaster Coast

Maximum length: 98 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 19 ft

Commercial and leisure port of 570 berths at the mouth of the Arques, on the chalk cliffs of the Pays de Caux in Normandy.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from seaward on a direct line between the two pier heads, the entrance lies between cliffs and is accessible at all states of the tide. Maximum draught 6 m in the approach, but the harbour silts between dredgings, so soundings can fall below charted depth and the latest should be checked. In a north-westerly with a following sea the entrance can be rough over the bar. Commercial ferry traffic to Newhaven runs throughout the day, plaisance must give way and monitor VHF 12 for port control. Marina pontoons lie inside the Bassin Ango, accessed through the swing bridge of the pont Colbert. The outer visitor berths roll when ships pass and in a north-easterly swell, so ask for a berth further in. Harbourmaster on VHF 9.

Practical

570 berths in the Bassin Ango. Fuel berth with diesel. Water and electricity on pontoons. Showers and laundry at the harbour office, though the main showers are a walk from the visitor pontoons and toilets are closer by. Offshore wind-farm supply boats take part of a visitor pontoon and run noisy. Berthing is on the dear side, around 50 to 57 euros for a 13 m boat. Crews from outside the Schengen area clear passports and EES at the ferry terminal, a walk around the harbour. Fresh fish market on the quai Henri IV. All shops within 400 m in the town centre.

Ashore

Chateau-Musee of Dieppe on the western cliff holds one of the largest collections of carved ivories in France at 700 m from the pontoons. Restaurants and bars line the quay right beside the marina. Saturday morning market on Grande-Rue and place Nationale, at 300 m. Cite de la Mer on the eastern side of the port at 500 m.

History

Dieppe was the first seaside resort in France after the Duchesse de Berry introduced sea bathing in 1824. The port saw the Allied raid of 19 August 1942, Operation Jubilee, in which Canadian troops suffered heavy losses and lessons were drawn for the Normandy landings of 1944.