Château de Dieppe

In 1694, a devastating Anglo-Dutch naval bombardment destroyed much of Dieppe city, but the castle on the cliffs survived the attack virtually unscathed. This resilience allowed the fortress to become a refuge for the townspeople and later served as a symbol of the city's endurance through centuries of conflicts.

Dieppe's ivory trade began after local navigators discovered the Guinea coast of Africa in the 14th century, making the city one of the first European ports to import raw ivory directly. The craftsmen developed unique techniques using elephant tusks, sperm whale teeth, and even rare narwhal ivory, creating objects so exquisite they were commissioned by European royalty.

The museum interior is not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers due to numerous stairs and narrow medieval passages. However, visitors should note that the climb up to the castle from the seafront, while steep, rewards you with some of the best photo opportunities in Normandy - many visitors come just for the panoramic views even without entering the museum.