Dinan

The basics

The allure of Dinan is its walkable historic center with a cityscape that has changed little over the centuries. The best place to start a stroll is Place du Guesclin for the 700-year-old craft and produce market held each Thursday before heading into the maze of backstreets to discover the castle, Romanesque churches, Gothic basilica, and English-style botanical gardens. Heading ever upwards, the Tour Ste-Catherine (St. Catherine’s Tower) has commanding views over the river port and the viaduct—built in 1852—over the Rance. From there, it’s a scramble down steep Rue du Jerzual from the old town to the river towpath and a well-deserved seafood lunch along the waterside.

Things to know before you go

• Head to Place des Cordeliers and Place des Merciers to shop and dine. Both are lined by crooked historic buildings propped up by arched wooden arcades now filled with shops and cafés.
• This atmospheric town is a photographer's delight, especially from the Ste-Catherine scenic overlook.
• To learn about the town’s history, stop into the museum housed in the remains of the 14th-century keep of the local castle that has information sheets in English.
• The flat countryside outside of Dinan is a popular spot for scenic bike rides along the Ille-et-Rance canal.
• The cobblestone streets can make getting around Dinan with a stroller or wheelchair challenging, but much of the old town is pedestrian and accessible.

How to get there

Dinan lies about 21 miles (33.5 kilometers) inland of Saint-Malo in Brittany, northwest France, and can be reached from Saint-Malo by trains connecting through Dol-de-Bretagne or from Rennes by direct train. You can also drive to Dinan from Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel in less than an hour.

When to get there

By far the liveliest day of the week to visit this historic town is Thursday, when its historic market takes over Place du Guesclin, and the square fills with vendors selling everything from fresh flowers and produce to clothing and housewares. Stop by when the weather is nice to enjoy strolling the historic lanes and sipping a coffee at one of the sidewalk cafès.

Village hopping through Brittany

Though Dinan is one of the prettiest, it is certainly not the only postcard-perfect village worth a visit in France’s region of Brittany. After exploring this historic river port, wander the cobblestone lanes of Locronan, admire the flowerboxes bursting with color in Rochefort-en-Terre, and browse Pont-Aven’s art galleries.