Why is Dinan, France the Ideal Home Base ?

It is no secret that I think Brittany is the most beautiful region in France. To me, it is sheer perfection. Here, one finds emerald green waters, sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, the GR34 hiking trail, charming Breton villages and bustling cities, magical forests and enchanting castles, delicious cuisine, and friendly people. There is literally something for everyone here. If I haven’t been able to tempt you to come and visit, I will endeavor to persevere.

If you have decided to come, congratulations! Now it is time to find a home base and I have just the spot for you: Dinan. While there are a plethora of delightful villages here – and in all honesty you would be happy in any of them – I find Dinan to be the ideal location to rest your head at night. Why? Read on …

First, let’s talk about Dinan’s historic center ….

Dinan has approximately 130 half-timbered houses dating from the Middle Ages. There is something truly magnificent about these ancient buildings, still standing strong and solid. They continue to be used for restaurants, shops, and homes and are as lovely inside as they are out. Seated in a charming crêperie, savoring a savory or sweet galette accompanied by a bowl of cider, well, it is truly a special experience. There is much to see and do in this town. You can read more about what to do in Dinan, France here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-day-in-dinan-bretagne-france/

Let’s stroll down to the lovely Port de Dinan. Locals here call it Dinan’s “little village” and with good reason: there is a convivial atmosphere here, with numerous restaurants offering a splendid view of the Rance river. The port is joined to the town via the incredibly beautiful Rue du Petit Fort leading to Rue du Jerzual and Dinan’s city center. The winding street is no easy climb, but worth it if you have brought good shoes and an adventurous spirit.

       

      

Things to do at the port de Dinan (after a good meal):

The lovely Léhon is just 25 minutes or so from Dinan by foot, and a few minutes’ drive by car. Read more about this Petite Cité de Caractère^® here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/things-to-see-and-do-in-lehon-bretagne-france/

Castles near Dinan, France

If it is castles you want to see, Brittany has over a dozen all within a short distance from Dinan. For example, Josselin is one hour by car. The castle looks like it has been plucked from a fairy tale …

Read more about Josselin here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-visit-to-josselin-bretagne-france/

Vitré and Fougères are also roughly an hour from Dinan by car and can easily be seen in the same afternoon.

If you would like more information on visiting castles in Brittany, you can read my article here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/must-see-castles-in-brittany/

Beaches near Dinan, Brittany, France

Are you interested in visiting some of the most beautiful beaches in Brittany? They are just up the river from Dinan. One of my most favorite places in the immediate area is Dinard. There are extraordinarily beautiful spots for relaxing by the water or taking a long hike. Dinard is about 25 minutes away by car but you can also take a boat ride up the Rance River via the Corsaire. While a much longer trip, it offers stunning views of the charming towns that line the river’s edge.

You can read all about Dinard here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-day-in-dinard-bretagne/ Information on the Corsaire can be found here: https://compagniecorsaire.com/

Historical sites near Dinan, France

For history buffs – and those who want to do a bit of shopping – St. Malo is a great choice. About 35 minutes from Dinan this city is a must-see. You can read about what to see and do in St. Malo here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/saint-malo-and-les-rochers-sculptes-de-rotheneuf/. If traveling by car, be sure to stop by Saint Suliac for a leisurely stroll and a delicious crêpe. https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-visit-to-saint-suliac-bretagne-france/

Interested in a good hike sprinkled with a bit of history? Then a trip to Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel should be on your list. It is only about 45 minutes by car from Dinan and you can either drive or take the coastal path to Cap Fréhel. Personally, I think this is one of the most stunning locations in Brittany and look forward to revisiting in the near future. A visitor’s guide to Fort la Latte and Cap Fréhel can be found here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/visitor-guide-to-fort-la-latte-and-cap-frehel/

Other coastal towns that I would recommend include Binic, under an hour away, and Paimpol, about an hour and 15 minutes away from Dinan.

A link to what to see and do in Paimpol can be found here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-day-in-paimpol-bretagne/

Natural areas near Dinan, France

Those interested in Brittany’s legendary forests will not want to miss Broceliande and Huelgoat. Both are equally stunning and offer a different experience. My friends and I drove about Broceliande, searching for specific sites such as Merlin’s tomb and majestic 500 year old trees. When visiting Huelgoat, we parked outside of the forest and spent hours taking in what seemed to be a truly enchanted forest indeed.

A recent post on Broceliande can be found here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/the-forest-of-broceliande-where-legends-are-born/ My trip to Huelgoat can be found here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/the-magical-forest-of-huelgoat/

If learning about Breton culture is your primary goal, then head to Rennes where you can find museums, concerts, and more. A guide to what to see and do in Rennes can be found here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/an-afternoon-in-rennes/.

The incomparable Mont St Michel lies just outside of Brittany, in neighboring Normandy. If you have not yet visited this iconic destination, you will want to add it to your Bucket list. I recommend going off-season or, if that is not possible, visiting during the week when it is less busy. You can read more about what to see and do at Mont St Michel here https://talesfrombrittany.com/beyond-brittany-a-visit-to-mont-st-michel/

Whether you plan to visit Brittany in the future or prefer to be a mental traveler, I do hope that you enjoy these posts. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have a special request, please mention that as well or send me an email at talesfrombrittany@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Instagram at @agruber17 . For information and links for places to stay, please email me. I have several recommendations for both in town and at the port (also a fabulous place in Lehon). Stay tuned for more information and photos from these locations in the very near future.

Take good care,

Amy Gruber, from Tales from Brittany

Other articles of interest:

A Coastal Drive in Brittany https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-coastal-drive-in-brittany/

Hiking through Brittany on the G34 Trail https://talesfrombrittany.com/hiking-through-brittany-france-on-the-g34-trail/

A Visit to Locronan and Quimper https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-visit-to-locronan-and-quimper-france/