Dinan, in the Côtes-d’Armor, is one of Brittany’s loveliest medieval towns. Its ramparts, nearly three kilometres long, enclose an old centre of half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes and lively squares, which can be explored on foot in a few hours, from the Clock Tower to the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur.
The cobbled Rue du Jerzual, lined with craftsmen’s workshops, runs down to the small port on the Rance below. You can stroll along the water, lunch on a terrace or board a river cruise towards the Rance estuary and Saint-Malo.
Around thirty minutes from Saint-Malo, Dinan combines easily with Mont-Saint-Michel, Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte. It is an excellent stop for anyone seeking authentic, living heritage away from the bustle of the big seaside resorts.