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 is known as the "port of Dinan", and is connected to the town by steep streets: Rue Jerzual and its continuation outside the city walls, the Rue Petit Fort. The Rance has moderate turbidity and its brownish water is somewhat low in velocity due to the very low gradient of the watercourse; pH levels have been measured at a slightly basic 8.13[4] within the city, and electrical conductivity of the waters has tested at 33 micro-siemens per centimetre. In the centre of Dinan, the Rance's summer flows are typically low, 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 also serves as a crossing point nearer to the sea.
Dinan station has rail connections to Saint-Brieuc, Lamballe and Dol-de-Bretagne.
Population
Inhabitants of Dinan are called dinannais and dinannaises.
Attractions
Basilica of St SaviourHIC 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 DinanET 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.
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.
At least in November, the city hosts the Festival Films courts de Dinan, an international French-speaking film festival.
Breton language
In 2008, 4.97% of primary school children attended bilingual schools.[7]
Personalities
Prominent people born in Dinan include:
Charles Beslay (1795–1878), member of the Council of the Paris Commune
.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small}
