The Crab Tower

You’d be hard pressed to find a local who hasn’t heard of this address at the very end of Henri IV quay. They’ve either enjoyed a meal in the bistro here, or heard about the history of the place. While we’ll leave you tojudge the quality of the menu served here, we’re delighted to tell you more about the heritage value of this unique place in Dieppe. As far back as the early Middle Ages, Dieppe was surrounded by a city wall. However, the wall was destroyed in the 12th century, leaving the town with no defence for almost 200 years. It was not until around 1345 that new ramparts were built, with the authorisation of King Philippe of Valois. The fortified walls were built along the channel to protect the entrance to the port, and part of them stood here, at the foot of this mound. It was even accompanied by a square tower measuring 9.20 metres on each side, 11.25 metres high and 1.40 metres wide. Initially known as the Pollet Tower, it was renamed the Crab Tower because of the crustaceans that clung to its walls when water moved away from its foundations at low tide. From the 17th century onwards, Dieppe’s walls as a whole were no longer of any real defensive use. Depending on the period, the tower was either abandoned or used for other purposes. On Henri IV quay, for example, a military storage barrack was built on the site. Nevertheless, the Crab Tower was destroyed in 1841. Nowadays, only its flint and brick retaining walls are still visible behind the restaurant sign. They have been listed as a historic monument since 1991. Both antique and gastronomic, the Crab Tower is a very interesting two-in-one visit on our itinerary.