Château de Dinan, Medieval castle in Dinan, France
Château de Dinan is a medieval fortress located in Dinan's old town, featuring two circular towers connected by a wing with a drawbridge entrance. The outer walls display machicolations, an intricate defensive system that allowed defenders to protect the base of the walls.
The fortress was built in 1382 by Duke John IV of Brittany upon his return from England to defend the region against French pressure. It became a crucial stronghold in Brittany's struggle to maintain independence during a turbulent medieval period.
The castle tells the story of medieval life in Brittany and how power was exercised from within its walls. Visitors can see how families lived here alongside soldiers and servants who kept the fortress running.
Visitors can walk through five levels of the structure, though some areas have narrow staircases and uneven floors that require careful footing. The best time to visit is early morning or on cloudy days when crowds are lighter and the stones stay cooler.
The structure served as an administrative center for the town long after its military days ended, and you can still sense this layered history in its rooms. A hidden water storage system beneath the courtyard demonstrates how medieval builders solved the practical challenge of keeping the garrison supplied during sieges.
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