A mini guide to Dinan in Brittany, France

Dinan is the kind of town that is so pretty and so quaint I didn’t actually believed existed in real life. Sure, towns like this exist in Disney films and between the pages of fairytales but in real life….not so much.

In real life, the modern world creeps in and places that are this beautiful slowly become commercialized and lose their original charm. But Dinan really is like stepping inside a Disney film. I was half expecting a chirpy little bird to come and sit on my shoulder so we could sing a duet and pick wild flowers as we skipped into the sunset.

My Disney princess dreams didn’t quite come true but I did find the fairytale town of my dreams…

Set beside the River Rance and climbing up the surrounding hillside, the walled Breton town of Dinan is arguably the most gorgeous town in the whole of Brittany. The medieval town boasts some of the finest architecture in Brittany, with buildings dating as far back as the 13^th century. Much of the original city wall remains intact, ensuring that history buffs will be particularly drawn to this charming settlement.

Dinan is designated as a Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire, or a Town and Land of Art and History if you’re French is a little rusty and this is mostly down to Dinan’s array of historical monuments.

How to get to Dinan

When visiting areas like this in France I’d recommend hiring a car as it’s so much quicker and easier than any other option. I’d take the train from France to Rennes and then pick up a hire car from Rennes train station. The Eurostar takes 2 hours 46 and then the TGV takes 2 hours 20 so it’s an easy journey.

Check out Voyages-SNCF to book train tickets. I like to use Zest Car Hire to hire cars abroad.

Where to stay near Dinan

When I visited Dinan I was staying at the Les Castels campsite, Domaine des Ormes. This is an enormous resort covering 200 hectares and is ideally situated within the triangle of Mont Saint Michel, Saint Malo and Dinan, and is 20 minutes away from these famous tourist attractions.

What to see and do in Dinan

The jewel in Dinan’s crown is its Centre Historique, filled with fantastically-preserved half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and impressive monuments and buildings. You could spend days wandering the maze of streets, ducking into inviting craft shops or art galleries and photographing the occasional landmark.

When it comes to ticking off attractions, taking the rampart walk is good place to start. The defensive walls were built in the 13^th century and today 10 out of the original 14 guard towers are still standing, as are four gates. They stretch for just under three kilometres, and certain portions are walkable. The prized piece of the ramparts is Château de Dinan, built in the late 1300s and today hosting a very interesting museum which houses many exhibits chronicling the history of Dinan.

There are many impressive landmarks to look out for around Dinan, and make sure you stumble across the St. Sauveur Basilica and Saint Malo Church. The former began its life in the 12^th century and has been listed as a Historical Monument since 1862, while the latter was built from 1490 and is a great example of gothic flamboyant architecture, with its famous stained glass windows depicting religious events and the lives of the people of Dinan.

Beyond the history, the town is famous for its art and crafts, presenting an excellent shopping scene contributed to by the likes of artists, engravers, sculptors and glass blowers. One of the best ways to discover this artistic scene is by attending the Thursday morning market at the Centre Ville, or by strolling up from the port along Rue du Petit-Fort which is lined with shops.

Where to eat in Dinan

Dinan’s port area is a beautiful setting, with pretty old stone houses lining the quay, many of which have been converted into great restaurants. But you’ll have to head into the centre of town if you want to sample the best eatery in Dinan, named Au thé Gormond. The café is arguably the best place for brunch in Brittany, serving up delicious French fare as well as range of cakes.

Lo Cantorbery is another great bet, found in an intimate setting within a 17^th-century house and delivering traditional and hearty French cuisine, while your crépe fill can be found in the shape of Créperie Ahna, with its great range of flavours and fillings.

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My trip to France

I visited Dinan during a one-week glamping trip to France with Les Castels. You can read more about my trip here…

An introduction to Les Castels, France – my favourite family adventure of 2016!

Travel journal: My French road trip part 1

Travel Journal: My French road trip part 2

A mini guide to Mont Saint Michel – a real life Harry Potter town! 

 

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