Page 119 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

DINAN  117

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Birth of a Legend
In 850, some monks dressed in rags met King Practical Information
Nominoë (see p43) and asked him to help them. Road map: E2. * 15,000. n 9
The king agreed on condition that he be given Rue du Château; (02) 96 87 69 76.
8 Apr–Jun & Sep: Sat; Jul–Aug:
some relics in return. To fulfil this obligation,
the monks set sail for Sark, in the Channel daily. ( Thu. _ Festival de Harpe
Islands, where they found the body of St Celtique (second week in Jul); Fête
Magloire (525–605), Bishop of Dol. On their des Remparts (every 2 years from
2016; third weekend in Jul); Fête de
return, the king fell to his knees before the la Pomme (first weekend in Nov).
relic and founded the Prieuré de ∑ dinan-tourisme.com
Relic of St Magloire St-Magloire-de-Lehon.
Transport
£ @ Place du
with depictions of the vices and leader of the Holy League 11-Novembre-1918.
with such monstrosities as sirens, (see p50), the castle withstood
human-headed serpents and attack by Protestant soldiers
a toad at a woman’s breast. but, with the help of the people
The interior combines the of Dinan, Henri IV managed
Romanesque and to break through the Porte de
Flamboyant Gothic styles. St-Malo. The keep, built in
The heart of Bertrand 1380, must have served both
du Guesclin (see p47) is as a fortress and as living
entombed in the north quarters, as it features
transept. There are also spy-holes and lookouts
some fine stained-glass as well as mullioned
windows, both ancient windows and monumental
and modern. chimneys. A platform at the
The former cemetery top of the keep offers a
is now a terraced garden magnificent view of Dinan
with a view of the Rance and its environs.
valley. In the garden are Tour Coëtquen, with
busts of the explorer tomb effigies, was built
Auguste Pavie and of Statue from the castle in the 15th century,
Néel de la Vigne, mayor nearly a hundred years The colourful garden of the Maison d'Artiste
of Dinan during the Revolution. after its keep was built. de la Grande-Vigne
The museum of local
P Tour de l’Horloge history, which is located in (1895–1993), an artist who
Rue de l’Horloge. Tel (02) 96 87 02 26. the keep, displays interesting was a pupil and friend of
Open Easter–May: daily pm; archaeological artifacts, Mathurin Méheut (see p111) .
Jun–Sep: daily. & paintings and sculpture. Among the 4,000 works that
The top of the tower offers Jean-Haffen bequeathed to the
impressive views of Dinan. E Maison d’Artiste de la town are engravings, ceramics
The bell was a gift from Anne Grande-Vigne and watercolours depicting
of Brittany in 1507. 103 Rue du Quai. Tel (02) 96 87 90 80. scenes of Brittany.
Open mid-Jun–Sep: daily pm. & Exhibited in rotation, these
P Benedictine Monastery This house was the home works illustrate a variety
Rue de Léhon. Open Mon–Fri. of Yvonne Jean-Haffen of themes.
Built in the 17th and 18th
centuries, the monastery now
houses a private school where
Chateaubriand (see p75) was
once a pupil.
+ Castle & Museum
Rue du Château. Tel (02) 96 39 45 20.
Open Jun–Sep: daily; Easter–May;
Oct–Dec: daily pm. Closed Jan–
Easter. &
The castle consists of a
14th-century keep, the
13th-century Porte du Guichet
and the Tour de Coëtquen.
Strengthened by Mercœur, Tour de Coëtquen, built by the architect Estienne Le Fur

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