Dinan walks

A town of art and history, Dinan is a place of great beauty. Its historic centre takes us back to the Middle Ages and from the top of its ramparts, visitors can look out over the Rance valley and the road viaduct which, with its 10 arches and 50-metre height, spans the Rance. To this, we must add a stroll through the magnificent town centre of Léhon and finally a romantic walk along the Rance.

The route takes you through the old town of Dinan and past several points of interest, then down into the Rance valley. It passes through Léhon, a picturesque little village, and ends along the Rance and the port of Dinan. For the tour of the walls, see the map on the Dinan Agglo website (see practical information). The journey time does not include breaks and stops for visits or sightseeing!

Loop around Dinan between Rance and Pays du Poudouvre via the Écluse du Châtelier to La Moinerie in the commune of Plouër-sur-Rance.

Wind your way along the banks of the Rance, stopping off at the Abbaye Sainte-Magloire-de-Léhon to visit the fortified heights and historic heart of Dinan.

A long hike for experienced walkers, from Lehon (Côtes-d'Armor), starting at the old Saint-Magloire Abbey (founded in the 9th century) to Saint-Pern (Ille-et-Vilaine), the mother house of the Little Sisters of the Poor. A page of history and religious life waiting to be discovered.

First, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Dinan viaduct with two passages under the arches, then stroll along the canalised Rance to reach the village of Tressaint and its woods. This route offers peace and serenity, even though it is very close to a popular tourist destination.

From the village of Saint-Samson, make your way to the Rance at Le Petit Lyvet via the Voie Verte and the Gallo-Roman track. Take a short detour to the menhir known as ‘La Pierre Longue’: standing 8.5 metres tall, it has stood there since 2,500 to 3,000 years before our era.

Throughout this route, there are no fewer than five viewpoints from which you can admire this small coastal river, famous for its mouth between Saint-Malo and Dinard thanks to the tidal power plant dam. After following it first through fresh water and then salt water, you will end your route by taking sunken paths that will lead you to a monument dating back five thousand years.

The highlight of this walk is exploring the remains of the feudal motte and Coëtquen Castle, built in the 15th century (private property). The route takes in small roads and beautiful forest paths. The name Coëtquen can be translated as ‘white forest’. The Coëtquens were lords who became part of a branch of the Dinan family.

A beautiful circular walk along the banks of the Rance, from the slipway at Mordreuc to La Vicomté-sur-Rance, passing by the charming Moulin du Prat, and returning through the countryside to explore the banks of the Rance.

This route has two circular sections, allowing it to be completed in two stages. Both sections highlight the banks of the Rance and allow you to discover the hinterland, the former lands of the gabarriers and Cap-Horniers.

From the Mordreuc tide mill, follow the shaded cliffs along the banks of the Rance, which will take you to the Prat tide mill. You will pass an old lime kiln and see the village of La Moinerie in Plouër-sur-Rance through the trees. On the mudflats, you will see common shelducks. At the end of the Moulin du Prat pond, you will see Quincourbe Castle and its dovecote. You will pass by the ferruginous fountain.

A circular route starting from the Mordreuc slipway via La Chapelle and Le Moulin du Prat. This route is not difficult and follows the banks of the Rance to begin and end its loop via country paths. Along the route, you will discover two tide mills as well as some beautiful houses and manor houses.

A lovely walk along the banks of the Rance and through the beautiful Bois de Rochel forest. This walk combines various routes suggested by Plouër-sur-Rance Town Hall. It begins as a blue trail along the banks of the Rance, where the landscapes and views change with every tide. After passing through hamlets with traditional stone houses, it continues as a green trail through the forest, where beech and chestnut trees over 25 metres tall never fail to impress and where sunken paths await the walker. Take care in winter, as some sections may be damp. But in summer, don’t hesitate – with its open, airy and shaded route, it offers a chance to enjoy a pleasant coolness in the heart of nature.

Legend has it that fairies, who were supposed to deliver these stones to Mont Saint-Michel but were too tired, abandoned them here in the Champ des Roches, where the druids used to gather.Sixty-five menhirs dating from 2000 BC are gathered here, forming Brittany’sthird-largest megalithic site, which has been a listed site since 1887.The site has been planted with 60 different species of oak.

A lovely walk starting and ending in Évran (22), taking in the landscapes of romantic Brittany with its valleys, winding canal and locks.

A pleasant walk that takes you through the charming valley of the Ruisseau de Coëtquen, also known as the Val Hervelin – which is also the name of the village – on a return trip. The route is generally very pleasant and the path runs largely through woodland. It also offers the chance to discover a few old houses, particularly in St-Méleuc and La Forge. It takes you to a megalithic site in the Tougeais forest, north of the hamlet known as ‘Les Rouchiviers’. There are no significant difficulties, but the valley floor may be very wet during wet weather and the stream may even burst its banks.

A lovely day’s hike, taking you around the Rance Maritime as far as the Chatelier lock, the boundary between the Rance Fluviale and the Rance Maritime. On the itinerary: exploring the flora and fauna along the banks of the Rance, magnificent views, small coves and anchorages, and lush valley floors. Depending on the tide, you’ll alternate between shallow waters and mudflats. Please note: some sections along the banks of the Rance are only accessible at low tide and can be quite slippery.

This hike will allow you to discover the flora and fauna of the Rance estuary. The Rance is a wintering ground for migratory birds. Mordreuc's mascot, seal L 214, will let you take photos with him if the water level allows him to lounge on the slipway. Otherwise, look in the water to see if a whiskered snout is peeking out. In Mordreuc, if you continue 100 metres along the shore, you will discover the old lime kiln.

This hike follows the Rance river and the valleys around Langrolay-sur-Rance. It starts at the foot of the Souhaitier Chapel and follows a north-south route offering beautiful views of the Rance and the opposite bank, Saint-Suliac and Mont Gareau. The route is also dotted with some very pretty stone houses. The route follows a branch of the GR®34 to GR®37 trail.

Walk in the Pays Malouin between the sea and the Rance around one of the most beautiful villages in France. To be done at low tide, check before you go.

Did the Vikings settle in the Rance valley at the foot of Mont Garot? Nothing is less certain, but in any case, this is a theory put forward by the guides. From La Ville-es-Nonais, along the right bank of the Rance, make your way to the site of the supposed Viking camp. At low tide, you can see the site, covered in short vegetation.

Discover romantic Brittany, between the two departments of Ille-et-Vilaine and Côtes d’Armor, as you travel along part of the Ille and Rance Canal!