Dieppe is the oldest seaside resort in France. It has had an important commercial port activity since the 16th century and holds the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (City of Art and History) label. At the level of the old town, the main beach stretches over 1 mile (1,600 m) between the port and the castle. The arrival of Napoleon III in 1853 deeply transformed the seafront, though Dieppe has been renowned for its hot and cold baths since 1824. The Emperor had the boats under construction evacuated, and Empress Eugénie herself designed plans for promenades, gardens, and sea bathing establishments.