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Commune of Dinan |
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| Dinan | ||
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| Château de Dinan | ||
| Location | ||
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| Coordinates | 48°27′23″N 2°02′56″W / 48.45639°N 2.04889°W | |
| Administration | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | |
| Region | Bretagne | |
| Department | Côtes-d'Armor | |
| Arrondissement | Dinan | |
| Intercommunality | Dinan | |
| Mayor | René Benoît (2001–2008) |
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| Statistics | ||
| Elevation | 7–92 m (23–300 ft) | |
| Land area1 | 3.98 km2 (1.54 sq mi) | |
| Population2 | 10,907 (1999) | |
| - Density | 2,740 /km2 (7,100 /sq mi) | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| INSEE/Postal code | 22050/ 22100 | |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | ||
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | ||
For the automotive tuning company, see Dinan Cars.
Dinan (Breton: Dinan, Gallo: Dinan) is a walled Breton town and a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in north-western France.[1]
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Geography and natural features
Its geographical setting is exceptional. Instead of nestling on the valley floor like Morlaix, most urban development has been on the hillside, overlooking the river Rance. The area alongside the River Rance is known as the port of Dinan and is connected to the town by the steep streets Rue Jerzual and its continuation outside the walls the Rue de Petit Fort This river has moderate turbidity and its brownish water is somewhat low in velocity due to the slight gradient of the watercourse; pH levels have been measured at 8.13[2] within the city of Dinan and electrical conductivity of the waters have tested at 33 micro-siemens per centimetre. In the centre of Dinan the Rance summer flows are typically in the range of 500 cubic feet per second.
For many years, the bridge over the River Rance at Dinan was the most northerly crossing point on the river, but the tidal power station at the mouth of the estuary, constructed in the 1960s downstream from Dinan, incorporates a 750 meter long tidal barrage which doubles as a crossing point nearer to the sea.
Attractions
The medieval town on the hilltop has many fine old buildings some as early as 13th century. The town retains a large section of the city walls, part of which can be walked around.
Major historical attractions include the Jacobins Theatre dating from 1224, the flamboyant Gothic St Malo's Church, the Romanesque St Saviour's Basilica, Duchess Anne's Tower and the Château de Dinan.
A major highlight in the calendar is Dinan's Fête des Remparts. The town is transformed with decoration and many locals dress up in medieval garb for this two-day festival. It occurs only every other year.
Demographics
Inhabitants of Dinan are called Dinannais.
Breton language
In 2007, 4.5% of the children attended bilingual schools in primary education.[3]
Notable people linked with Dinan
Dinan was the birthplace of:
- Charles Beslay (1795-1878), member of the Council of the Paris Commune
- Théodore Botrel (1868-1925), poet and singer
- Yves Guyot (1843-1928), politician and economist
- Myrdhin (1950-), real name Rémi Chauvet, harpist and poet
- Auguste Pavie (1847-1925), explorer and diplomat
- Charles Pinot Duclos (1704-1772), author
- Jean Rochefort (born 1930), actor
- Da Silva (1976-), singer
Dinan is also associated with:
- François-René de Chateaubriand, writer, studied in Dinan
- Bertrand du Guesclin, connétable of France. Born at nearby Broons. His heart is buried in Dinan.
- Yvonne Jean-Haffen (1895-1993), painter, died in Dinan
- Danielle Mitterrand, wife of President François Mitterrand, educated at the Roger Vercel college
- Jean-François Paillard (born 1928), orchestral conductor, educated at the Cordeliers de Dinan
- Henri Pinault, (1904-1987), Roman Catholic Bishop of Chengdu, educated at the Cordeliers de Dinan
- René Pleven, (1901-1993), politician, minister, essayist. The hospital in Dinan is named after him.
- Roger Vercel (1894-1957), writer, winner of Prix Goncourt 1934, died in Dinan. A college in the town is named after him.
Dinan was also a favourite place for artists to visit in search of picturesque views. The British artist John Everett Millais lived there as a child. It was also painted by Edward Ward and Horace Tuck among others.
Gallery
 The Rue du Jerzual is a steep medieval street connecting Dinan to the river below. |
 Statue of Jean de Beaumanoir. |
 Statue of Bertrand Du Guesclin. |
 Saint Saviour's Basilica, |
 Saint Malo's Church, |
 Saint Malo's Church, |
 Saint Malo's Church, |
See also
References
- ^ Atlas des Routes de France, Solar Press: Donnees IGN (2007)
- ^ Hogan, C. Michael, Water quality of freshwater bodies in France, Lumina Press, Aberdeen, Scotland(2006)
- ^ (French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
External links
- (French) Town council website
- Dinan Basilica Image
- (French) French Ministry of Culture list for Dinan
- Dinan Holiday Guide Things to do and see in this historic medieval town (English)
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