Dieppe (French pronunciation: [djɛp]; Norman: Dgieppe) is a coastal commune in the Seine-Maritime department, Normandy, northern France.

First recorded as a small fishing settlement in 1030, Dieppe was an important prize fought over during the Hundred Years' War.

[3] Another expedition two years before where Goulaine de Laudonnière was under command of Jean Ribault, a local Huguenot captain, had resulted in the foundation of Charlesfort, now in South Carolina.

It was rebuilt after 1696 in a typical French classical style by Ventabren, an architect, who gave it its unique feature for a sea port.

Prominent literary figures such as Arthur Symons loved to keep up with the latest fads of avant-garde France here, and during "the season" sometimes stayed for weeks on end.

In order to allow a better defence of the coast against a possible Allied landing, the Germans destroyed the mauresque casino that was located near the beach area.

On August 19, 1942, Allied soldiers, mainly drawn from the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, landed at Dieppe in the hope of occupying the town for a short time, gaining intelligence and drawing the Luftwaffe into open battle.

More recent research suggests the raid was a massive cover for an intelligence operation to capture German code machine components.

When the First Canadian Army approached at the end of August, the garrison withdrew, not desiring to enter into battle for the port.

A memorial service was held in the nearby Canadian military cemetery to honour those killed in the Dieppe Raid.

The castle, Château de Dieppe, which survived the 1694 bombardment, is now a museum and exhibition space, with a strong maritime collection.

A rich collection of 17th- and 18th-century ivory carvings, including lacy folding fans, for which Dieppe was known, and the furnishings and papers of Camille Saint-Saëns.

Various buildings and sights include: Dieppe railway station, operated by SNCF, has frequent departures for Rouen-Rive-Droite.

Dieppe has a ferry port with direct services to the English town of Newhaven, situated at the mouth of the River Ouse in East Sussex.

The twice-daily service to the Port of Newhaven is operated by DFDS Seaways, under a concession subsidised by the French government.