The Gobes

Before we tell you what to see and where to look, have you ever heard of the Gobes? If you’re not familiar with the term, it refers to ancient quarries dug into the cliffs where chalk was extracted to make lime. There are several of these cavities in Dieppe, some of which can be seen on the right-hand side of the cliff, just beside the colourful houses in the city centre. For the record, these narrow caves served as shelters to the poorest families, who had nowhere else to live after their homes were destroyed when the channel was dug in the 19th century. Somewhere around 1900, about a hundred people, known as gobiers, lived here in very rudimentary conditions, until they were driven out for good during World War II. Squatters dwelled there for many years; however, access to the site is now forbidden.