Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited, mind-bending blockbuster Inception sucked me into a dreamland far, far away. In the back of the Rennes movie theatre I was transported back to Paris, but not the Paris we know – a Paris where the streets could effortlessly fold on top of each other, where enormous fireless explosions popped up around the characters, and where you had the rare ability to turn heads at each street you walked down. This certainly wasn’t the Paris I knew, but something that could exist in the deepest depths of our imaginations.
Nolan’s masterpiece had certainly tugged at the cords of my creativity and left me wanting more. I wondered whether a land like that could ever exist in places other than our dreams. Little did I know, there was a place. A little town called Dinan, a mere one hour drive from Rennes in North-East Brittany.
Dinan is a fantastical mélange of charm, warmth, romance, mystery and colour, with a distinctive sprinkling of fairytale magic. This medieval town is cobbled together by an array of half-timbered buildings dating as early as the thirteenth century. Interspersed along the crooked streets and alleyways are a unique collection of small cafés, bars, local restaurants, boutique hotels, butchers, bakers and candle-stick makers. Also an assortment of shops of florists, artisans, and craftsmen create a relentless magnetic pull for tourists of any age and nationality.
Every year in July, the Dinan township celebrate the Fête des Ramparts, the medieval festival. This is an event not to be missed – a weekend where the township fish out the medieval costumes from their dress-up boxes and honour the roots of their small town. The apple cider flows, the music plays, and everyone is undeniably merry. To avoid disappointment, accommodation should be booked months in advance as people flock from all over France to join in the festivities.
Trickling through the delightful township is the Rance River which continues its route to the sea at Saint Malo. Either hire a little boat or feast yourselves with typical Breton cuisine on the banks of the river to fully appreciate the beauty of this small corner of the world. For a local gastronomical delight, try the Crêperie des Artisans on Rue du Petit Fort in the heart of the township. Founded in 1975, this quaint restaurant will quite happily fill an empty stomach and leave you smiling for the rest of your voyage à Dinan. After your meal, wander aimlessly through the cobbled streets and into your dreams.
Dinan is truly the dreamland I so longed for. It’s true; it exists. Allow yourself a full day’s visit or ideally an overnight stay at our very own dreamland only 400km from your Paris doorstep. And follow the breadcrumbs, you’ll never know where they might lead you….
For further information on Dinan visit www.dinan.net
For more information on the Fete des Ramparts check out this site: http://www.fete-remparts-dinan.com
Article and photos by Sarah Reese
The quaint township of Dinan on the edge of the Rance River, Brittany.
A charming medieval street in the township of Dinan, France
Charm, character, and gastronomical delights; The Creperie des Artisans, Dinan.
I visited Dinan 10years ago but only for the day. We stumbled upon it by accident down by the river. Looking over we saw a quaint cobbled lane that looked as if it belonged in another century. ‘let’s climb up there and see where it goes’ I said. Well when we got to the top I couldn’t believe my eyes….the most beautiful medieval town of such beauty and ageing elegance I fell in love immediately and promised myself I would return. Well I am finally fulfilling my dream and am going back this weekend for a few days. I know it will still have all the charm and grace it had before…I simply can’t wait