Dinan

Dinan is a well-preserved medieval town. It has been a strategic stronghold for over 1000 years. It is mentioned in the Bayeux Tapestry as the place where William and Harold defeated Duke Conan of Brittany. Every July they hold the Fête des Ramparts to celebrate their history. They also put on a "Fest Noz" (Celtic music festival) periodically.

		The old town of Dinan still has its walls from the fourteenth century. It is situated on the top of a steep hill overlooking its port on the Rance estuary below. The Rance widens out from here until it's half a mile wide at St Malo and Dinard.
		The inner city is entered via the narrow gates in the towers.
		The central pedestrian zone looks just as it did in the fourteenth century, except for the modern shops that now occupy the ground floor. This quaint place is available for vacation rental!
		The old clock tower is a city landmark. We stayed right next to it at the Hotel de la Tour de l'Horloge. We had a studio apartment that opened onto the street. This allowed us to fix some of our own low-carbohydrate meals.
		The rue du Jerzual goes steeply down to the port from the city.

		The port is now used for pleasure boats and tours of the river. You can rent a rubber raft and go exploring on your own.

The day after our arrival was Thursday, the day of the weekly market.

		The market place (a large parking lot during the rest of the week) is presided over by Breton hero Bertrand du Guesclin.
		The market is not just foods, but flowers, live animals, clothes, shoes, fabric, notions, housewares, tools, grooming supplies, plants, CDs, toys...

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