About 14 rue Pecquet

14 rue Pecquet is a beautiful old house in the quiet heart of the old town of Dieppe in the ancient quartier Sainte Cathérine. At the end of the narrow, cobbled street the Gothic flying buttresses and gargoyles of the 12th century St Jacques frames the sky. The market square, with its statue of Admiral Duquesne (as painted by Sickert) is just beyond and every Saturday is thronged by visitors to one of northern France’s finest food markets. The square, itself ringed with bistros and food shops, leads to the Grand Rue – Dieppe’s main shopping street. From here it’s only a five minute walk to the sea or the harbour where fresh fish and shellfish can be bought from the boats.

Les coquilles Saint Jacques

Eateries, from the brasseries and pâtisseries to the seafood restaurants that throng the harbour to traditional French family outfits are a major attraction and there’s something for every purse and every taste – all within a few minutes of number 14. In fact the great thing about the house is that everything you need is within walking distance (including local supermarkets).

Dieppe is connected by fast train services to Paris and Rouen and by bus to many local Normandy places of interest. You can hire bikes at the harbour and there is free parking a short walk from the house.

The Saturday market

Quartier Sainte Cathérine is packed with antiques shops and bric-à-brac selling everything from books and records to furniture and jewelry.  But it was the clarity of the light that drew, and continues to attract, painters to the town, especially the impressionists.

14 Rue Pecquet with St Jacques in the background

Walter Sickert was one inspired by Dieppe and painted the view above at the beginning of the 20th century. Not much has changed in 100 years except for the mode of transport…

La Rue Pecquet by Walter Sickert (1900)