May 26th: The Dordogne to Brittany

We left Brantôme for Dinan in Brittany, a distance of 350 miles and do-able in a day as it’s mainly motorway. The site at Dinan is two miles outside the town, near the river Rance estuary, and you can walk along the river path (see photo) to the Port of Dinan and then up into the town.

Dinan is on the high ground overlooking the river, so it’s a steep climb up a cobbled street to what is reputedly the best-preserved medieval town in Brittany. This is part of the ascent.

There are superb views from the ramparts because of the town’s elevation, and looking down over the river is one of the best. The river is tidal up to here although about 15 miles from the open sea, and the quays have an interesting mix of sea, river and canal boats.

The difference in building styles from the Dordogne, that we’ve just left, is very noticeable. Here it’s steep pitched slate roofs as opposed to terracotta tiles, and more angular buildings. That style applies to old and new structures alike, although the ancient buildings take a better photo so that’s what we’ve got below as an example.

The Place du Guesclin commemorates the town’s hero Bertrand du Guesclin who fought a single combat with an English knight in 1364. By winning the duel, Bertrand lifted the siege of the town. He later became Constable of France. Seems a big patch for just one constable, but we are talking medieval heroes here not today’s Dixon of Dock Green burdened with modern technology.