Dinan is probably the town I like the least in Brittany. Go for dinar with its walks etc. Dinan is just a place to stop. And even so when we stopped there last year we wondered why we did.

You have done a good job at sorting through the various opinions already posted. We look forward to your trip report.

Along with so much else in life, Dinan vs Dinard is a matter of taste, Nobody knows which they'll prefer till they get there, and even then it's hard to do a head-to-head comparison. Different weather, different time of day, market day or not when you visit, how hard it is to park, how hungry you are, all play into our preferences. I can't predict what anybody else will like. I can't even predict what I will like.

We liked Dinan for its lack of other tourists when we were there. It was mid-afternoon and in the center of town parents were taking their kids to buy shoes, little kids were picking up the family baguette at boulangeries, students were hanging around the square smoking. We liked the vibe, but for a French person visiting Dinan, that would be ho-hum.

I know the times I've been most disappointed are when a destination comes highly recommended and I go with great expectations but it turns it's just not for me. So St Malo and Honfleur were not for us, and Laval was and is, and here on Fodor's lots of people love St Malo and Honfleur and hardly anybody likes Laval.

Cheska, you're sure to find a lot to like everywhere you go. I’m going to guess that your favorites will be places you discover for yourselves.

Kerouac, “hostile mineral” made me think as well as laugh. You’ve put your finger on why I like most parts of Normandy so much.

The most important issue for me is to listen to what others have to say and then decide for us. I have learnt the hard way that certain places aren’t for me. The town of Lucca in Italy was one example. Couldn’t wait to leave and seven days was six days too long. Of course other people love it.

Im looking forward to seeing Brittany although it will only be a little taste, and after 8 weeks on the road will probably be glad to get to Strasbourg to stop unpacking.

Coquelicot next stop after Brittany will be Normandy. I can’t organise anything yet as waiting for our daughter to tell us when her and her husband are arriving in May. When I do start the planning I would live to hear your views.

funnily I went to lucca once and was invited to the restaurant. Was driven there got out ate got back in the car. Then I said : oh it looks nice.
Since then it is on my tosee list. But maybe one day it clearly enough.

The old town is nice

https://flic.kr/p/8sTzuP

I loved Dinan! I only spent a few hours there, but I thought it a gem.

I loved both Dinan and Lucca. I couldn’t imagine staying more than three nights in either place though.

We've spent 4 weeks just outside of Dinan on 2 different trips. It's not just the village of Dinan - but the stuff within 1 1/2 hour's drive around it. Read my itinerary for details!!!

Stu Dudley

Stu I have read your itinerary and found it very helpful.

For us, Dinard was a nice break in visiting sights. We just enjoyed looking at the sea and taking the path that leads through plantings from various climate zones in France--and eating moules frites in a local hotel restaurant. Kids especially seemed to enjoy playing in the sea.