Dinan & the Breton Hinterland

Dinan (11,000 inhabitants) is the best-preserved medieval town in Brittany — and one of the most beautiful in all of France. The completely walled old town (2.7 km of city walls with 15 towers) sits 75 m above the River Rance and looks as if nothing has changed since the 15th century: crooked half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, stone bridges, city gates, and a clock tower from the 15th century.

The Rue du Jerzual is the most famous street in Brittany — a steep, cobbled lane that leads from the town center down to the old port on the Rance. On either side, half-timbered houses from the 15th–17th centuries, now art galleries, ceramic workshops, and studios. The descent is picturesque, the ascent a workout.

The Château de Dinan (14th century) houses a museum on the town's history. The 34 m high keep offers a panoramic view of the old town, the river, and the landscape. At the port below, you can rent kayaks (€15/hour) and paddle down the Rance — through a green, quiet valley.

Every two years (next in 2026), the Fête des Remparts takes place — the largest medieval festival in Europe. For two days, the entire old town transforms: knight tournaments, market stalls, musicians in historical costumes, 100,000 visitors.

From Dinan: day trip to Dol-de-Bretagne (30 min.) — a tiny town with a massive cathedral and the Menhir du Champ-Dolent, a 9.5 m high menhir standing alone in a field. Or to Léhon (2 km south, reachable on foot) — a sleepy village with a monastery ruin by the river.

Château de Dinan: €7 (adults), €3 (children). April–Sept: 10 am–6:30 pm, Oct–March: 1:30 pm–5:30 pm. City wall: free, accessible at any time.