Dinan

Town in Côtes-d'Armor département in northern France, on the River Rance, 21 km/13 mi south of St-Malo; population (1990) 14,200. The river is harnessed for tidal hydroelectric power. Tourism is an important industry here.

Features The town is built on the summit of a hill at the spot where a high viaduct crosses the river. Still remaining are some of the old walls and gates, many old, winding, narrow streets with wooden houses, and the enormous 14th-century castle, one of the homes of Anne of Brittany, who married Charles VIII in 1491, thereby uniting Brittany with France. English troops captured in the American War of Independence were imprisoned in the keep, which now houses a historical museum.

Bertrand du Guesclin, a French soldier and hero of the 14th century, was born near here in 1320. In 1359 du Guesclin, who was defending the town against the English, fought a duel against an English knight, Canterbury, who had captured du Guesclin's brother while a truce was in force. Not only did du Guesclin win and secure his brother's release, he obtained the sum of money from Canterbury that he had demanded as ransom. Du Guesclin became Constable of France; his heart is buried here in the church of St Sauveur.