Where to stay

FRENCH hotels are generally cheaper than British hotels. That’s a help to British visitors in a time of reduced exchange value of the pound. It also helps your pocket, and may promote nocturnal acquaintance, if you share a room with another human being.

One of the best appointed hotels in Dieppe is the Europe, at the eastern end of the seafront. At 110 euros a night for a double room in 2011, the price is a bit OTT for a two-star establishment in France. But, at that price, such accommodation would be a gift in a British seaside resort: vast rooms, vast beds and vast baths. And, remarkably, every room has a sea view. Unfortunately, Philippe’s bar is now closed, but Philippe and his cocktails can be found at the Epsom bar at the western end of the promenade.

Dieppe’s long seafront, which boasts the widest lawns of any coastal resort in France, has only six hotels. Reading from the east, they are the Europe; the Aguado , the Europe’s classier three-star sister with double rooms between 89 and 140 euros; the Windsor, with its panoramic restaurant; the Plage, which has a deservedly faithful British clientele; the posh Grand Hôtel at the Casino; and the three-star Mercure, smartened up since the chain took over the rather dilapidated Présidence.

Cheaper hotels are inland. In the Rue de la Halle au Blé, parallel to the seafront behind the Epsom bar, you will find the unpretentious Les Galets (new name and new owner for the former Tourist Hotel) clustered around an old monastery courtyard. No lift.

The spick-and-span Etap Hotel in the Rue Claude Groulard is run with impressive efficiency by the ever welcoming Florence Giffard. All en-suite rooms, served by a lift to every floor: prices vary between 38 and 55 euros a night, according to season, and to whether you are a single or a double. The Etap offers the best hotel bargain on the Dieppe scene.

Smarter, more spacious (and dearer) accommodation is available at the Hôtel des Arcades, overlooking the marina. The Grand Duquesne, next to the great church of St Jacques, has a dozen rooms above an elegant restaurant, a convenient juxtaposition of facilities at bedtime.

Hotels outside the town centre include the Ibis, at the top of the Avenue Gambetta; Formule 1, just outside town in the Chemin des Vertus at St Aubin; and the lorry drivers’ haven, Les Ouvriers Réunis, which you will find if you follow the sign ‘‘toutes directions’’ on leaving the ferry port. It’s off the first roundabout at the top of the hill. Those United Workers (Ouvriers Réunis) get well fed, too.

Some people prefer the charm of a chambre d’hôte – a French-style homely B and B – to a hotel. For example, the very successful Ghislaine Boré (0 235 821 652) has transformed an ancient convent into cosy rooms for guests in the Rue des Capucines, Le Pollet. Or you might choose the architect-designed Villa Florida (0 235 8 037), impressively overlooking Dieppe golf course on the Pourville road, beyond the western edge of town.

You will find details of most of these places and more on Google, or from the Tourist Office at the Pont Ango (0 232 144 060 and www.dieppetourisme.com)

                                          Bonne nuit! 

• list of hotels in Dieppe