Herring, the King of Dieppe

The herring, king fish of Dieppe

The herring is the king fish of Dieppe, a famous fishing port whose slogan proclaims that the Dieppe fish is a fish of choice. The Dieppe audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this fishing and gourmet tradition, deeply anchored in the identity of the maritime town.

The tradition of the herring fishing

In Dieppe, a slogan proclaims loud and clear: Dieppe fish, fish of choice. A little chauvinistic perhaps, but no more than any regional pride, and above all fully justified by the long fishing tradition of the town. Among all the fish landed on the quays, the herring occupies a place apart: it is the king fish of Dieppe. For centuries, the herring fishing was an essential activity for the town, punctuating the life of the sailors and their families and ensuring a large part of the prosperity of the port. This fish abundant in the waters of the Channel, fished in autumn and winter, was consumed fresh, but also smoked, salted or dried to be preserved and traded. This tradition endures today, and Dieppe celebrates each year its maritime and gourmet heritage during a great feast, the herring and scallop fair, which attracts the crowds around the stalls, the tastings and the festive atmosphere. The herring, like the scallop, is thus a symbol of the identity and the art of living of Dieppe. A fishing tradition and a gourmet pride, the herring, king fish of Dieppe, is a tasty stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you discover the tradition of the herring, king fish of Dieppe, a famous fishing port whose slogan proclaims Dieppe fish, fish of choice; fished in autumn and winter in the Channel, consumed fresh, smoked or salted, it ensured for centuries the prosperity of the port and is celebrated each year during the great herring and scallop fair, symbol of the art of living of Dieppe. The herring is a gourmet pride of Dieppe. It is a tasty stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The tradition of the herring is lived at the port and on the quays of Dieppe, where you find fishmongers and seafood restaurants, reachable on foot. The great herring and scallop fair is generally held in autumn. It is best to inquire about the dates and to enjoy the tastings.

Why is the herring the king fish of Dieppe?

Because the herring fishing was for centuries an essential activity of this great fishing port, ensuring a large part of its prosperity; fished in autumn and winter in the Channel, consumed fresh, smoked or salted, this fish is celebrated each year during the great herring and scallop fair, symbol of the Dieppe identity.

Where to live the tradition of the herring in Dieppe?

At the port and on the quays of Dieppe, and during the herring and scallop fair, in France.