Living like a sailor | Office de Tourisme de Fécamp

Contents

Meeting the sea

For an authentic stay

Welcome to Fécamp!”
Do you smell that sea spray? Do you hear the cry of the seagulls? Do you see the ripples of the sea?

Everything about us is a call to take to the sea! So hoist the sails, embark on an old rigging and take yourself for a corsair!
Back at the harbor, the herring, king fish will satisfy your marine appetites.

It’s raining and you want to stay dry? So go take a tour to the Fisheries Museum to learn all about the history and traditions of Fécamp.
You’ll be all the more ready for your next sea outing!

The season to go out to sea?

April to October!

Our advice

Sailors

Stop seasickness, use the 3Fs!

1. Cold: Cover up when you go out to sea,
2. Fatigue: Get in shape to take to the sea,
3. Hunger : Eat before boarding,

Don’t pick up pebbles, they are essential to the protection of our coastline,
Don’t put your life in danger by walking under or too close to the edge of the cliffs, landslides are frequent,
For foot fishing, consult the tide schedules,
Don’t feed the seagulls, they find their food naturally in the sea,

Become an eco-responsible tourist

Are you ready to

Going to sea?

Nautical activities in Fécamp

TIME TIDES

Before you head out to sea, exhilarated by the spray, check the tide times!

Thursday 05 December

Rain

13^°C

min : 7^°C / max : 13^°C

Wind : 31km/hHumidity : 96%

Morning

10^°C

Afternoon

13^°C

Evening

13^°C

Friday 06 December

Cloudy

10^°C

min : 8^°C / max : 12^°C

Wind : 21km/hHumidity : 63%

Morning

9^°C

Afternoon

10^°C

Evening

10^°C

Saturday 07 December

Rain

9^°C

min : 8^°C / max : 13^°C

Wind : 64km/hHumidity : 80%

Morning

10^°C

Afternoon

8^°C

Evening

8^°C

From the sea

to the plate

And yes, who says fishing town, says seafood!!

Holidays are also made for feasting!

Let yourself be tempted by cod with fécampoise sauce (cream or Benedictine), accompanied by potatoes in papillotes…

The Restaurants

Local products

The history of fishing

Fécamp, city of the Terre-Neuvas

For five centuries, the port of Fécamp witnessed the great era
Between the 19th and 20th centuries, Fécamp made its fortune through cod fishing. Nearly 2,300 sailors nicknamed the “Terre-Neuvas” crossed the Atlantic during a journey of eight to nine months. They faced the icy seas from Newfoundland to the coast of Canada to bring in thousands of tons of fish.

Today, the most fished species are herring, scallops, mackerel, sole, cod and cuttlefish.

Continue the adventure at the Fisheries Museum

The FAQ

From the little fisherman

Where to buy fishing equipment?
At one of our partner merchants selling fishing supplies.
What equipment for fishing on foot?
For foot fishing, you will need little equipment compared to sea fishing.
- A fishing basket to bring back your booty.
- A knife to unhook some shells.
- A hook for fishing crabs in the rocks.
- A ruler that will allow you to check the size of your catch,
- Suitable and waterproof clothing
- A good pair of shoes or boots
RULES TO BE FOLLOWED
It is also necessary to follow certain rules to ensure your safety and protect the marine environment.
- Know the fishing regulations in force in the fishing area (catch sizes, tools, fishing periods and quantities allowed),
- Check the tide times and coefficients so you are not surprised by the rising waters,
- Do not do the fishing at the foot of the cliff, be more than 100 meters away.
- Notify someone of your exit and take your cell phone. The maritime rescue number to dial is 196.
- Respect the environment: put back the stones you turn over, they are home to many species. Respect the regulatory sizes and quantities and directly replace the animals too small in their natural environment. Do not collect animals bearing eggs to respect the life cycle and reproduction.
Can we fish at sea?
Yes absolutely!”
You can:
- Fish at the booms for beacons,
- Rent a boat,
- Go with one of our providers who will accompany you on your sea fishing trip.
When is the best time to fish?
For Sea Fishing:
Sea fishing is practiced to the rhythm of the seasons. Download the seasonal calendar.
For freshwater fishing (permit required):
Fishing may be done 1/2 hour before sunrise and up to 1/2 hour after sunset. Night fishing is prohibited.
- Waters classified as 1st category
  From the 2nd Saturday in March through the 3rd Sunday in September, inclusive.
  Any pike caught from the 2nd Saturday in March through the last Friday in April must be immediately returned to the water.
- Waters classified as 2nd category
  Anywhere in the year.
  Exceptions exist for the following fish: Pike, Brown trout, char, arctic char, cristivomer, rainbow trout.
What are the different types of worms?
For marine fishing:
Marine worms such as bibis or trawl worms are natural baits.
For freshwater fishing:
Black-headed worms, red earthworms, manure worms are the most common, used by many fishermen.
What fish can be caught in Fécamp?
The specialties of the port of Fécamp are:
- Mackerel
- Scallops
- Herring
- Sole, Sole partridge
- Dockfish
- Emissole
- Miche
- Plie
- Griset
Where can we get our fishing license?
You can order your fishing license directly on the website cartepeche.fr or at the Fécamp Tourist Office.
Where to fish without a fishing license?
The fishing license applies only to freshwater, shoreline and riparian property owners. You are free to fish at sea without a fishing license.
When is the Herring Festival?
The Herring Festival takes place throughout the month of November along the Alabaster Coast. Each weekend a city puts the king fish in the spotlight.
It is in Fécamp that the Herring Festival closes, each year, the last weekend of November.

The Semaphore

of Fécamp

Installed on the highest point of the Albâtre Coast in Normandy, the semaphore of Fécamp is located at Cap Fagnet, about 117 meters above the sea.

What is the purpose of a semaphore?
The semaphore’s purpose was to monitor the maritime approaches.

Today, the semaphore is a coastal surveillance post that carries out diversified missions ranging from navigational assistance to territorial surveillance, including the regulation of maritime traffic and fishing.

What is the difference between a lighthouse and a semaphore?
Lighthouses light up to allow ships to find their way around the water. Semaphores monitor and control maritime spaces.