A Day in Dinard, Bretagne

Dinard is located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department and on the Cote d’Emeraude in Brittany, France. It has long been famous for its pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and crystal clear, turquoise water.

To me, Dinard epitomizes the best of what summertime brings – families relaxing on the beach, children (and adults) building castles in the sand, sun worshipers taking a break from bronzing to spend a few minutes swimming in the sea.

From the comfort of their towel, splayed out on the sand, visitors can take in the clear sky, the grey-white sand, and the varying shades of blue in the water, contrasted with the bright orange sails, belonging to those learning the art of boating. Far from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the only sounds are the waves lapping on the sand, the laughter of children, and the squawk of seagulls chatting about where their next meal is coming from.

It’s a well-known fact that walking along the water is good for the body, mind, and soul. One of my favorite things to do in Dinard is to take a long walk along the Promenade du Clair de Lune, a walkway that offers superb views of the breathtaking coastline.

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Dinard was made famous over a hundred years ago when wealthy British expats moved into the area, building impressive cliff-side homes. It has remained a popular destination since the end of the 19^th century, when the who’s who would come for the summer, enjoying Dinard’s beautiful beaches and mild climate.

Today, one can still see these magnificent homes, with incredible views of the coastline and beaches. It’s easy to imagine generations of families coming together during the summer months, sharing stories around the dinner table or on the beach, tired, but blissfully happy from a full day of sunshine and fresh air.

During July and August, the Plage de l’Ecluse is scattered with blue and white striped tents. Inside, families relax between dips in the sea. These tents cost about 15 – 20 euros for the day, and offer a respite from the intense sun.

The beaches are crowded in summer, but not overly so. There are about 10,000 inhabitants in Dinard, but this number grows to about 40,000 during the summer months. In contrast, Dinard turns very quiet in the winter, and I imagine that for the people who live there, they enjoy the quiet that the winter months bring.

Dinard is a rather small town, but certainly worth a morning or afternoon stroll. If you are not keen to spend a lot of time at the beach, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, galleries and shops to keep you busy.

Dinard hosts a market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings, located in the Place Crolard. If you love antiques, there is an antique market on Sundays during late spring to early fall (April to September). If the weather is not cooperating, you can visit the casino or take a quick drive to St. Malo and visit the aquarium (information below).

To me, Dinard embodies all that is summer. I love being outside in nature, especially during the warmer months. It is a place that I long for in these dreary Midwestern winters, and I often flip through my photos of Dinard when I need a reminder that summer really is coming. Until then, wait for me, Dinard, I’ll be back soon.

Things to see and do:

Michelin Guide to Dinard https://travelguide.michelin.com/europe/france/brittany/ille-et-vilaine/dinard

Dinard street market is a covered food market, located at 3 Rue de Verdun. The market is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Casino: https://www.casinosbarriere.com/fr/dinard.html

If you take the boat over to St Malo, check out the aquarium. Children and adults will love the Grand Aquarium, with over 600 different species of marine animals. https://www.aquarium-st-malo.com/

               Restaurants:

Several restaurants line the beach, many with spectacular views of the beachfront and water and offering fresh seafood and local cuisine, washed down with a good beer or cidre.

List of restaurants in Dinard https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187099-Dinard_Ille_et_Vilaine_Brittany.html

Le Full Time. Plage de l’Écluse, 35800 Dinard, France Note: it doesn’t have the best reviews, but good if you’re looking for some vegetarian options.

Le Café Rouge (recommended in Michelin Guide) https://guide.michelin.com/en/bretagne/dinard/restaurant/le-cafe-rouge

A few new places I would like to try:

Chez le Sarrazin. Gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options found at this creperie:  https://chezlesarrazin.wixsite.com/dinard  With “extended” business hours starting at 10:30 (all but Monday) to 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Merci Monsieur. Concept store with café http://mercimonsieur.fr/ (site is currently under construction, so best to check out their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mercimonsieurdinard/ 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday, Tuesday noon to 6:00 p.m.

               Getting there:

Take a quick 10-minute boat ride across the Rance River from St. Malo. Fare is less than 10 euros. Boats run from the first week of April to late October or early November. I do not see the schedule posted for 2020 yet, but it will be uploaded here in the next month or two: https://www.compagniecorsaire.com/en/schedules-prices/

By car, Dinard (city) is about a 10-minute drive from Dinard airport. We’ve taken the boat and by car, but it appears that there will be a line 70 bus running from this coming August. You can also take a taxi from the airport for about 15 to 20 euros (of course, always ask in advance what the charge will be).

From Rennes, Dinard is about a 55-minute drive by car. Without a car, one can take a one-hour train ride to St. Malo, then a 20-minute bus ride on the Line 161 bus. More information can be found here: https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Rennes/Dinard

Dinard is a 25-minute drive from Dinan. You can also take the Line 70 bus for about 5 euros; time is about 30 minutes. Schedules and additional information here https://www.breizhgo.bzh/accueil

To and from Dinard to Dinan by boat, about 2.75 hours each way.  https://www.compagniecorsaire.com/en/destinations/entry-267-dinan-and-the-rance-river.html

               Miscellaneous:

Dinard tourist office

https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/dinard-12225/tourist-office-dinard-5999.htm

Brittany travel guide

https://www.francethisway.com/regions/brittany.php

Ille-et-Vilaine travel guide

https://www.francethisway.com/regions/ille-et-vilaine.php