Picardy coast info please.

[bromleybysea]

At the end of the week I'm off for a 2-week cruise, hopefully revisiting some of the ports on the Picardy/Normandy coast. It's been a few years since I was there last. I have good memories of Fecamp, Dieppe I liked a lot, but in the days when you locked into the fishing harbour and the trains still ran along the quay, both St Valerys as well. I seem to remember someone on here recently saying negative things about Dieppe now. Any observations about where to go or where to avoid along that bit of coast would be welcome. I know that it is going to be expensive! BTW, my plan is to head from the Blackwater to Ramsgate/Dover and then probably Eastbourne and then across- does that make sense?

 

[ebbtide]

Avoid the Authie River between Etaples and the Somme!

 

[sailorman]

Dives - sur - Maire
well worth a visit for the Saturday food market in the medieval timber hall. plus the beaches over the foot bridge.
Dieppe - good , most expensive hbr along this coast, vibrant town,the first restaurant on the Stbd as you enter the hbr is good especially mid-week fixed menu good value

 

[James_Calvert]

Our last trip along that coast was about 5 yrs ago, but I thought the new Dieppe marina and associated facilities were a great improvement, better than Fecamp which were a bit run down by comparison.

Le Treport is worth a visit if you haven't been before - a seaside town with a shingle/pebble beach. You have to lock in.

As regards passage planning, you've got most flexibility when you're travelling East, as you can take the flood tide with you to arrive at near HW for access to the tidal harbours. That could fit in with your plan to cross from Eastbourne.

Alternatively you could cross to Boulogne from Ramsgate (say), then Dieppe, Fecamp and then potter back via the tidal ports.

Oh, and when you're ashore, look out for "Le Petit Train" if you fancy a quick tour around the local sights. I think all these places had one.

 

[James_Calvert]

I also don't remember seeing many Brits along that coast, which might explain why this got so few posts.

Lots of Dutch, Belgians etc though.