Dinan

For the automotive tuning company, see Dinan Cars. For the town in Belgium, see Dinant. For places in Iran, see Dinan, Iran.
Dinan


Coat of arms
Dinan

Coordinates: 48°27′23″N 2°02′56″W / 48.4564°N 2.0489°W / 48.4564; -2.0489Coordinates: 48°27′23″N 2°02′56″W / 48.4564°N 2.0489°W / 48.4564; -2.0489
Country France
Region Brittany
Department Côtes-d'Armor
Arrondissement Dinan
Intercommunality Dinan
Government
  Mayor (20142020) Didier Lechien
Area1 3.98 km2 (1.54 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 10,953
  Density 2,800/km2 (7,100/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 22050 / 22100
Elevation 7–92 m (23–302 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Dinan (French: [di.nɑ̃]) is a walled Breton town and a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in northwestern France.

Geography

On the banks of the Rance River

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[1] 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 (14 m3/s).

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 metre long tidal barrage which doubles as a crossing point nearer to the sea.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
17936,393    
18006,406+0.2%
18067,188+12.2%
18217,175−0.2%
18318,044+12.1%
18367,356−8.6%
18417,533+2.4%
18468,159+8.3%
18517,732−5.2%
18568,238+6.5%
18618,089−1.8%
18668,510+5.2%
18727,698−9.5%
18768,180+6.3%
18819,964+21.8%
188610,105+1.4%
189110,444+3.4%
189610,620+1.7%
190110,534−0.8%
190611,078+5.2%
191111,410+3.0%
192110,161−10.9%
192610,002−1.6%
193110,633+6.3%
193611,822+11.2%
194612,737+7.7%
195413,844+8.7%
196212,847−7.2%
196813,137+2.3%
197513,429+2.2%
198212,267−8.7%
199011,591−5.5%
199910,907−5.9%
200810,953+0.4%

Inhabitants of Dinan are called dinannais and dinannaises.

Attractions

Basilica of St Saviour
HIC MILITES WILLELMI DUCIS PUGNANT CONTRA DINANTES ("Here the knights of Duke William fight against the men of Dinan"). Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry, c.1066, showing the early castle of Dinan
ET CUNAN CLAVES PORREXIT ("and Conan passed out the keys"). Successive scene


The medieval town on the hilltop has many fine old buildings, some of which date from the 13th century. The town retains a large section of the city walls, part of which can be walked round.

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. The festival takes place over the third weekend in July every even-numbered year.

Breton language

In 2008, 4.97% of primary school children attended bilingual schools.[2]

Personalities

Prominent people born in Dinan include:

Other people associated with Dinan include:


Dinan Port on the Rance River
Panorama from the belvedere of the Jardin Anglais (English garden)

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Dinan is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. Hogan, C. Michael, Water quality of freshwater bodies in France, Lumina Press, Aberdeen, Scotland(2006)
  2. (French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
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