"An Old Walled Town in A Pleasant Setting " a Dinan Travel Page by hquittner

Dinan (pop. 16K) has an old town surrounded by ramparts and exudes pleasure and relaxation. It is an excellent base of operations to visit nearby St. Malo and Dinard , the Rance estuary and many fine beaches. Moreover, Mont St.-Michel is only 35 miles to the northeast making it a possible day-trip.

We came from further west headed to accomodations near the Mont, so we came primarily for the town itself. Our hotel was a delight (See Tip) as was the town. We parked in the Pl. right in front of the Hotel which is recommended in many guide books. In the square next South was a statue of a man on horseback brandishing a sword riding at a gallop toward us. This was Bertrand Du Guesclin, the town warrior-hero, set in his square (now a parking area).We stayed two nights, spending the day wandering the town without visiting the castle or exploring the walks on the town walls.

We also visited Dol de Bretagne and Mont Dol itself as well as the coast nearby, but it was the town that pleased us most. Only a few houses are old enough to be half-timbered. Most are newer (16C) and of g\local granite. They will last forever!