Modestly-sized Dinan has the appeal of an authentic little village of Upper Brittany, bursting with history.
Located on a hill overlooking the River Rance, Dinan boasts a unique and fantastically well preserved architectural heritage, making it one of the most popular destinations in the department of Côtes-d’Armour.
Dinan is a town that is perfectly suited for exploring on foot, with its picturesque marina, historic ramparts, its fort and especially its hugely charming mediaeval old town. So come and explore this little gem in the North Brittany region, for a long weekend, on foot, by bicycle, by boat or aboard the little tourist train.
As an iconic landmark of the town, the Château de Dinan is an oval-shaped keep which forms part of the ancient ramparts, near the Saint-Louis gate. The film about the life of Bertrand Du Guesclin, the famous Constable of France, was shot around the walls in 1949. This former ducal residence is now home to the historic museum of Dinan.
Another building that you absolutely must visit during your stay in Dinan and the Rance Valley, is St Saviour's Basilica. Built over a long period from the 12th to the 16th century, this building is a pleasing mix of architectural styles, from Romanesque to flamboyant Gothic.
Dinan old town is full of cobbled streets, such as the steep Rue du Jerzual, and Rue de l’Apport, which is lined with superbly well preserved half-timbered and corbelled houses. Come and eat a crêpe on Place des Merciers, while admiring the surrounding triangular-gabled houses. During your stroll, don't forget to visit the Renaissance gate of the former Beaumanoir hotel or even the Maison du Gisant.
History buffs will be delighted by the Musée du château de Dinan, one of the oldest museums in Brittany. Its collections range from religious art treasures to antiques, as well as rooms devoted to the history of Dinan.
Climb to the top of the Clock tower to learn more about its ingenious mechanisms and to admire the sensational view over the town and the valley. Finally, for lovers of nature and the great outdoors, bicycle and boat tours are also organised along the River Rance.
Dinan also hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. Music lovers are well catered for, with the "Jazz en place" festival in the summer, and annual international Celtic harp conventions...
If you're arriving from Paris by train, book a seat on the Paris-Saint-Malo high-speed service, then take the TER service to Dinan. The journey only takes 3.5 hours. The nearest airport to Dinan is Saint-Malo-Dinard-Pleurtuit, which is 20 minutes away by car and offers connections to several UK destinations, including London. Rennes Saint-Jacques Airport also has connections to over 120 international destinations, and is 40 minutes from Dinan.
