Local Area Information

Dinan is a City of Art & History, situated near St. Malo, Dinard, Dol de Bretagne, Mont. St Michel,Rennes and many more interesting towns and villages.  Dinan was founded at the turn of the 11th Century, and from the 13th Century onwards Dinan became an important stronghold of the Duchy of Brittany, responsible for the wonderful historical city we know today.

Dinan has an abundance of churches, priories, chapels and convents with exceptional architecture and furnishings, as well as a variety of spectacular timber buildings dating from the end of the Middle Ages and the Chateau.

Dinan is home to numerous skilled artisans including painters, sculpters, glassblowers, leatherworkers, engravers, and cabinet makers, many of them to be found on the Rue du Jerzual.

Dinan boasts nearly three kilometres of ramparts bearing witness to five centuries of fortification, military and Breton history, dating from the 13 to 17 centuries. The port of Dinan is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy an excellent meal in one of the many superb restaurants dotted along the Rance, followed by a leisurely walk along the tree-lined canal.  A short walk along the canal, under the imposing 130ft high granite viaduct will take you to the picturesque village of Lehon, home to a 13th Century Benedictine Abbey and cloisters of St Magloire, and home of the oldest castle in Brittany. This village comprising of mainly 17th century stone houses is listed in the French guide "The most Beautiful Villages in Brittany."

On the third weekend of July, every other (even-numbered) year, the Fête des Ramparts is celebrated with medieval-style jousting, banquets, fairs  and  processions, culminating in an immense fireworks display. There's a market every Thursday in the places du Champ and du Guesclin (the original medieval fairground).