On a recent trip to France I stopped off in the medieval town of Dinan having heard that it was a place well worth a visit.

Dinan (click for larger image)

On a recent trip to France I stopped off in the medieval town of Dinan having heard that it was a place well worth a visit.

The town has many fine old buildings some dating from the 13th century and retains a large section of the city walls part of which can be walked around. The walls include 14 watch towers and four gateways. The town is very atmospheric with cobbled rambling streets and lots of cafes bars and restaurants.

The tourist office has a brochure which outlines several  walking  tours including one of the ramparts which takes approximately two hours.

Don't miss also the L'église Saint Sauveur with its Romanesque porch and an eighteenth-century steeple.  The church was built in 1120 but amended and added to over the centuries climaxing with the completion of the huge belltower. During the French Revolution it became a Temple of the Supreme Being, then a hayloft and finally a church again in 1800. The stained glass inside is not ancient but spectacular never the less. It dates from the 1940s.

Below the old town is the port du Dinan. Here the river is sufficiently narrow to be spanned by a small but majestic old stone bridge, and artisans' shops and restaurants line the quay.