Marché de Dieppe Market

The scallop shell became a symbol of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage thanks to Dieppe. In the 12th century, medieval pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela would stop in Dieppe to purchase scallop shells, which they sewed onto their clothes as proof of their journey and used as drinking vessels along the route.

In 1523-24, explorer Giovanni da Verrazano departed from Dieppe on a voyage commissioned by local shipowner Jean Ango. This expedition led to the European discovery of New York Bay and the mouth of the Hudson River, making this small Norman port a gateway to the New World during the Renaissance.

Dieppe holds the French national record for scallop sales, with over 3,500 tonnes of 'coquilles Saint-Jacques' sold annually at auction. The fishing fleet of 80 boats lands over 8,000 tonnes of seafood each year, and the scallop season from October to May transforms the market into a celebration of what locals call 'white gold.'

The market won France's 'Plus Beau Marché' competition in 2020 after finishing second the previous year, with over one million French citizens casting their votes. The award recognized not just the quality of products, but the authentic community atmosphere where generations of locals gather weekly, making shopping a cherished social ritual.