to buy at the Municipal Fish Market (Poissonerie Municipale), open every day and worth a visit just to marvel at the gleaming array of fish) or sample at one of the many excellent restaurants located on the quayside. 2006 saw the re-opening of the historic funicular railway, first opened in 1908, which takes you on a dramatic (and free) ride through a tunnel in the cliffs. The best way to experience it is to leave your car in the newly opened car park at the top of the cliff and take a trip down to the seafront. If you're brave and fit you could always choose to take the 365 steps cut into the side of the cliff.Le Treport was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War and much of the seafront was destroyed. Not so it's elegant next-door neighbour, Mers les Bains, which is worth a visit for the beautiful Belle Epoque villas that line the seafront. These were built during the 19thCentury hey-day of the town, when visitors from Paris flocked to enjoy the sea air. Characterised by their elaborate balconies, bright colours and delicate Art Nouveau ceramic plaques they are a fascinating glimpse into the leisured life of a bygone era. Stroll along the sandy beach at low tide with its dainty beach huts.
Mesnil Val is worth a detour mainly for Le Resto de La Plage, a restaurant located right on the beach, popular with locals. It has a
sun terrace overlooking the beach, and a children's playground just outside. Le Resto specialises in cooking with a wood fired oven and offers a reasonably priced buffet. The hey-day of Mesnil Val was in the 19th Century and a few of the spectacular mansions of this time can be seen close to the seafront.
Criel sur Mer is situated at the mouth of the river Yeres. It owed its former prosperity to the sheltered beach popular both with sea bathers and gatherers of beach pebbles. In 1872 a railway route was constructed from Dieppe to Eu to transport the pebbles
(galets) which were used in industrial processes ranging from the manufacture of pots to the production of face powders. Nowadays this route has been converted into a walking, cycling and horse riding track affording superb views from the amazing 9 arched brick viaduct at Touffreville. Criel is a great destination for cyclists and walkers with panoramic cliff top strolls and paths along the tranquil river Yeres. It boasts one of the most elegant youth-hostels imaginable - the newly refurbished Chateau Chanteraine which is perfect for weekend breaks.
The Linen Trail - Just inland, all the way along the coast from Le Treport to Le Havre, you will see fields of flax. If you visit in June
you may be fortunate enough to see the delicate blue flower of the flax plant. Each flower only lasts for half a day. Flax is used to make linen and there are a number of quaint small shops along the route where you can buy beautiful and interesting linen pieces from local producers.
The annual linen festival takes place in July at Le Bourg DUN.
Between Etretat and Fecamp is La Vitrine du Lin which offers a free exhibition in a delightful 18th century farmhouse, with the opportunity to buy linen articles.
At St Marguerite sur Mer is Lin et L'Autre, a gorgeous boutique located in an enchanting wooden house in a wooded residential area. Here an elegant selection of linen clothing is on offer as well as toiletries and other products made from linen.
Pourville - Head west out of Dieppe and the first seaside town you will come to will be Pourville. Famous for its seafood, particularly oysters, which can be sampled at the eateries along the beach, Pourville offers a quiet haven after the bustle of
Dieppe. The cliff top walks were a favourite of impressionist Claude Monet who painted a series of views from here in the 1880s. Stop at the car park on the way down into the town to experience some panoramic views for yourself. Pourville beach played a tragic role in the ill fated Dieppe Raid of 1942 when of the 503 Canadian soldiers landed here only 157 survived. Nowadays the beach is popular with windsurfers and kite-flyers.
St Marguerite sur Mer retains the sophistication of bygone days. The sea front is smart with elegant new beach huts and a
wooden walkway. At Quiberville sea front stalls sell fish fresh from the boats and there are number of excellent restaurants. Fields of corn and other crops sweep down almost to the sea's edge so nit is possible to combine country walks with seaside pleasures. On top of the cliffs overlooking the beach is the working lighthouse of Ailly, situated on a large wooded promontory. You can climb the 91 steps to the top of the lighthouse and be rewarded with views stretching as far as the Bay of the Somme. The surrounding woodland is full of footpaths ideal for walking, horse-riding or mountain biking. There is a beautiful 12th century flint-faced church. If you are looking to experience serenity and calm and a gentler pace of life, St Marguerite is the place for you.
The claim to fame of Veules les Roses is that it is situated on the smallest river in France: a mere 1195 metres long. The length of the river did not prevent the construction of a pretty mill which
was used in the production of linen in times past. The town is compact and attractive. The seafront has a free children's playground with a paddling pool and the beach is sandy at low tide. At the base of the cliffs are rock pools, which can be reached at low tide, and provide a good place for shrimping. Always check the tide tables though, to avoid the risk of becoming cut off
The prosperity of Fecamp is closely linked to the sea. For 400 years, until 1930, the fishing fleet would set out for Newfoundland to return with catches of cod 8 months later. The picturesque
fishermen's cottages can still be found along the quayside. Nowadays yachts and pleasure craft flock to the town particularly for the weekend of 6th-7th September when Fecamp hosts its Annual Nautical Show. There is a chocolate museum with plenty of opportunity for tasting, and the elegant confection that is the Benedictine Palace combines an impressive art gallery with a working distillery. Here you can touch and smell samples of most of the 27 plants and spices that go into the making of this famous liqueur, often used in cocktails such as the Singapore Sling. The visit ends with a tasting.