Dinan: City Walls and Medieval Culture
Accommodation in Dinan
Dinan is best explored during a stay through its fortified old town and its medieval heritage. When looking for a hotel in Dinan, you can plan your trip around architectural history, viewpoints, the connection between the port and the upper town, and a recurring festival.
Château and Tour de l’Horloge
The Château de Dinan was built in the 1380s at the behest of Duke Jean IV. An emblematic landmark, it is an exceptional example of late-medieval princely residences. Its immersive exhibition covers medieval warfare and everyday life in a princely residence. The château’s architectural history thus offers insight into two distinct aspects of life at the time.
Another prominent landmark is the Tour de l’Horloge. The 43-metre-high tower has overlooked the medieval old town for 550 years and offers panoramic views of historic buildings. Inside the tower is a clock mechanism made by the German clockmaker Hamzer in Nantes in 1498. The tower’s height, views and clock mechanism offer different ways to experience the historic town centre. You can reach the top via 73 steps, a wooden staircase and a small ladder. Bear this access route in mind if you plan to climb the tower.
Ramparts, circular walk and Jerzual
Classified as a historic monument, the Remparts de Dinan enclose the entire city over a length of 3.2 kilometres. The circular route along the fortifications passes the keep, ten towers and four surviving gates, and offers views of the surrounding countryside. The walls define the scale of the city, while the château and the Tour de l’Horloge highlight individual buildings.
The Jerzual is different: this 507-metre route is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists and connects the port with the upper town. The figures refer to different things: 507 metres is the length of the Jerzual route, while 3.2 kilometres is the length of the ramparts enclosing the city. They also serve different purposes: the Jerzual connects the port and upper town, while the ramparts enclose the entire city.
Exhibition and festival dates
The Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine presents the permanent exhibition “Dinan, par delà les murs”. The exhibition is open year-round and free to visit; exceptional closures may affect access. The opening hours and admission details refer to the exhibition. It can be included as a separate stop on a cultural trip.
Another reason to visit is the FĂŞte des Remparts de Dinan, a medieval festival in the heart of the historic city. It takes place every two years on the third weekend in July; the next edition is scheduled for July 2027.
Discover more destinations: Pleudihen-Sur-Rance, Allineuc, Plélauff, Trelevern, Pléhédel, Fréhel, Le Leslay, Kerfot.
For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
