Dinard walks

The environment we are taking you to is no longer the one that Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, explored by bicycle. But although urbanisation has developed considerably, the charm of the Emerald Coast remains. Let's head to the village of Saint-Énogat, the birthplace of the tourist town of Dinard, and take the coastal path around the two headlands that frame it: Pointe de la Malouine and Pointe du Moulinet.

You will start by winding your way through the Dinard countryside to reach the sea. Take the customs officers' path, the Clair de Lune promenade, and discover the many islets of the Bay of Saint-Malo. You can also explore the Goule aux Fées cave, where the Lumière brothers took their first photographs in 1877.

The Cité d'Alet is a family-friendly walk, with an exceptional promontory, offering 270° panorama of the Cité Corsaire, the fortified rocks of La Conchée, Petit Bé, Île Harbour, Grand Bé (Chateaubriand's burial place), the Rance estuary and its dam, and Dinard and its beaches. It's also Saint-Malo birthplace, with the remains of the first human settlements.

Walking along the Chemin de Ronde between the dam and the pier, you will enjoy various panoramic views of Saint-Servan-sur-Mer and then Saint-Malo. A short boat trip will take you to an outer basin of the port of Saint-Malo. Continue on to the Cité d'Aleth, the Solidor Tower and the Rosais to complete this tour by crossing the dam.

Discover the pirate town and the personalities who played a part in its history.

Jutting out into the Rance estuary, Pointe de Cancaval offers beautiful views of the right bank: from Saint-Servan to Saint-Malo, the dam and the moorings dotted along the coast. During the walk, you will notice La Malouinière de Montmarin and its remarkable garden, which is one of the most beautiful private residences, and two tidal mill sites that bear witness to the industrial past linked to the tidal range.

The Rance once had many tide mills on its banks. Today, with the passage of time, erosion and lack of maintenance, little remains. This circuit allows you to discover the coastline, countryside, coastal path, remains of the Montmarin mills, the new mill and the dam that uses the movements of the tides for its tidal power plant.

The path runs along the right bank of the Rance, overlooking its rocky coves, which resemble Mediterranean calanques. Along the way, stop at La Passagère, where you can see the Maison du Passeur and the house of Commander Jean Charcot. In the cove, you will find the boat graveyard, the only place where old hulls from the Rance valley are beached.

Ce circuit du littoral emprunte le GR® 34. Il permet la découverte des anciens chemins des douaniers et offre un point de vue exceptionnel, de l’embouchure de la Rivière du Frémur jusqu’au Cap Fréhel.

From Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to La Rance via theGRP® long-distance hiking trail and the countryside around Saint-Malo.

The Frémur estuary has two different aspects: the right bank is lined with mudflats and polders, which provide refuge for many species of birds during migration. The path is lined with hedges and undergrowth, providing a cool environment for walking. The left bank is sandy, ideal for beach games in summer. It is also where boats moor. There is a beautiful view of the Roche-Good tide mill, nestled at the end of the estuary.

Walk between land and sea dotted with numerous historical, cultural and tourist attractions.Urban start, then green countryside through Saint-Coulomb.Return via the Emerald Coast and its magnificent sandy beaches.Discover the protected natural site of Pointe de la Varde, offering a panoramic view of Saint-Malo and Cap Fréhel.

From the beautifully landscaped public garden, there is a remarkable view of the Rance and its right bank, from which the village of Saint-Suliac stands out. From the garden, you can easily reach Garel Beach and the Landriais shipyard with its specific equipment: the above-ground wooden dry dock, via the cliff-top path. The wet Guérouse valley winds through the undergrowth that makes up the Domaine du Pièton.

La Rance saw its first tidal mill built in 1181 (Moulin du Lupin near Rothéneuf). Were built between the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Today there are not many of these renewable energy suppliers. This tour allows you to see the ruins of two mills (Fosse Mort and La Herviais) and to walk around this estuary ideal for the construction of mills.

In a bucolic setting, follow the course of the Ru Le Floubalay, which flows into the polders of the Bay of Beaussais-sur-Mer. In Ville-ès-Prêtres, see the sculpture at the foot of the Ferme du Maris: "À l'abri dans le Marais"(Sheltered in the Marsh). It symbolises the work undertaken to regulate the devastating effects of the tides on this submersible area.

A lovely walk around the northern tip of Saint-Suliac. Do it whatever the weather! Moderator's note as of 06/04/2021: Some modifications on the ground since the creation of this hike: see the comments at the bottom of this page. Moderator's note a description of June 2022 in reverse order to this one is available here

In the midst of this tide-changing natural environment, Mont Garrot, a true promontory above the river Rance maritime estuary, offers a panoramic view of Saint-Suliac to the north and Anse de Vigneux to the south, where the foundations of an ancient Viking camp emerge at low tide.

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.