Dinard: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Dinard is rightly referred to as the pearl of the Emerald Coast. The fashionable seaside resort is known for its remarkable villas dating back to the 19th century. They overlook the town and the magnificent beaches from the La Malouine plateau. At the Grand Plage and the adjacent beaches, you can enjoy the sun.
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Dinard - Must-see attractions
Écluse Beach
Thanks to its central location in close proximity to the casino and the city center of Dinard, Écluse Beach is very popular. Here you can take a break, relax in a beach chair, or dive into the fresh water. The tides are particularly pronounced on the Breton coast. At high tide, the water rises very quickly. When it recedes at low tide, you can take a walk through the wet sand and collect shells.
Dinard Moonlight Promenade
Somehow, one does not feel at all like they are in the north of France when strolling along the Promenade du Clair de Lune. Here, one encounters fragrant eucalyptus trees, exotic Atlas cedars, and weeping pines from the Himalayas. In July and August, the promenade is illuminated at night, accompanied by suitable musical accompaniment. The many villas and numerous artworks in the form of sculptures and bas-reliefs, which can be explored on a walk, are beautiful.
Villa The Brown Rocks
The villa in neo-baroque design is characteristic of the Belle Époque style, which was booming around the turn of the century, especially in the seaside resorts on the northern coast of France. The stately house owes its name to the rocks on which it was built. The view over the sea and the Rance is particularly spectacular. On clear days, the view extends to Saint-Malo on the opposite riverbank. Today, various events take place in the Villa Les Roches Brunes.
Prieuré Beach
The fine sandy beach is a popular excursion destination for young and old. The Plage du Prieuré is followed by the Promenade du Clair de Lune, where visitors and locals especially enjoy strolling in the evenings. When the sea recedes at low tide, you can instead swim in the Piscine du Prieuré. Highlights such as the Villa Les Roches Brunes and the Maison du Prince Noir can be reached within a few minutes' walk.
Moulinet Point
Pointe du Moulinet is located in the charming seaside resort of Dinard, also known as the Nice of the North or the Pearl of the Emerald Coast. It owes these names primarily to the many villas and beautiful coastal sections. Among these is the Pointe du Moulinet. From Dinard, you can reach the Pointe du Moulinet via the beautiful Promenade du Clair de Lune in Dinard after about a half-hour walk. The path is characterized by magnificent villas and the splendid sea.
Port-Breton Park
The park opposite the beach invites you to relax with its rose garden, idyllic lakes, and more than 2,000 trees. The 23-hectare estate also features a castle, which earned the park the nickname "Versailles of Dinard." Families with children will enjoy several playgrounds in Port Breton. The green area also includes a zoo where visitors can admire more than 40 animal species, including donkeys, wallabies, deer, and llamas, as well as around 20 bird species.
Dinard - Secret spots
Excursion to Pointe de la Malouine
As you walk along the coast of Dinard, the magnificent houses on the Pointe de la Malouine peninsula catch your eye. A charming path with great views leads you along the coast in their shadow and past the 13-meter-high sculpture called Stone Tree by Giuseppe Penone.
Maritime flair around La Cale du Bec in Dinard
An attraction of the Dinard harbor basin is the boat ramp Cale du Bec. From here, shuttle boats depart for Saint-Malo, but you can also simply stroll along the promenade and enjoy the delicious freshly caught fish in one of the restaurants. From a café table, you can enjoy the charming atmosphere.
The beach of Saint-Enogat
Not far from the center of the Breton resort town of Dinard, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, lies the golden yellow sandy beach of Saint-Enogat. Swim in the emerald green waters of the Atlantic or glide with the SUP along the coast under France's sun. This offers you a picturesque view of the imposing cliffs and villas of the charming coastal town.
Art enjoyment in the Manoli Museum and Sculpture Garden
Art enthusiasts will find a worthwhile destination about 5 km south of Dinard at the Manoli Museum and Sculpture Garden in La Richardais. You can discover the stone and metal sculptures of the sculptor Manoli on a walk through the garden in almost every corner. The artist's former residence also houses many of his works.
Dinard - In 3 days
Day 1
Dinard, the pearl of the Emerald Coast in Brittany, entices with picturesque beaches and enchanting Art Nouveau villas. Spend the morning of your first day in Dinard on a tour of the city. In the heart of Dinard lies the Plage du Prieuré with a view of the old town of the opposite resort Saint-Malo. Walk to the Pointe de la Vicomté, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view. A little further inland behind the Plage du Prieuré, you will come across numerous beautiful villas, including the famous Villa Eugénie. After a delicious lunch, it's time for wellness. In the Saint-Enogat district, relax at the thalassotherapy center. In the evening, head to the Promenade du Clair de Lune between Le Prieuré beach and the Pointe du Moulinet. From June to September, this promenade is particularly romantic thanks to lighting and music.
Day 2
On your second day in Dinard, you follow in the footsteps of Auguste Renoir and Henri Rivière. To do this, you visit the seaside resorts of Saint-Lunaire and Saint-Briac, located west of Dinard, which are characterized by their peaceful atmosphere. Afterwards, a trip to Saint-Malo is recommended. You can reach the medieval city at the mouth of the Rance by boat. The highlight of the charming port city is the old town surrounded by high walls. Once a stronghold for privateers, today the central Place Chateaubriand is bustling with visitors from all over the world in its many small cafes and shops. Also worth seeing is the Demeure de Corsaire - the former house of a privateer, which houses a museum. Try typical Breton crêpes and galettes before visiting the Grand Aquarium with its marine inhabitants. The Nautibus submarine simulator takes you into the depths of the sea.
Day 3
Your third day in Dinard is all about technology. In Brittany, the tides are particularly pronounced. No wonder that humans have taken advantage of this peculiarity of the sea. This inventiveness is perfectly illustrated by the EDF La Rance tidal power plant, built in 1966. It is located at the mouth of the Rance River and is part of the 750 m long Barrage de la Rance dam. The power plant near Dinard was the first of its kind in the world and is therefore definitely worth a visit. In a 300 square meter multimedia exhibition area, guests can learn more about the construction and operation of the power plant. Access is free. The dam is used by locals as a promenade and a meeting point for anglers. If you have enough time, make a detour to the Manoli Sculpture Museum in La Richardais with a subsequent walk to the Anse des Rivières bay.
Dinard - Climate
The water temperatures of the English Channel are refreshing all year round. The best months for a dip in the cool water are August and September, when the water temperature reaches up to 20 ℃. From April to September, you can enjoy eight or nine hours of sunshine per day. However, be prepared for short showers even in summer: Even in June and July, the driest months, there is rainfall on seven days. It is also mild in Dinard in winter: In the coldest month of February, the average temperatures range between 4.5 and 6.7 ℃.