Château de Dinan

TheChâteau de Dinan, also known asDinan Castle, consists of akeep, in the town ofDinan, in theCôtes-d'Armordépartement of theBrittany region of France.

History

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First castle

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The first building known as the Château de Dinan was present by 1064, making it one of the earliest known castles as evidenced by the fact that it appeared in theBayeux Tapestry. TheBattle of Dinan was fought at the Château de Dinan in 1065, whenConan II, Duke of Brittany surrendered to the army ofHarold Godwinson.

The Château de Dinan during theBattle of Dinan in 1065, as depicted on theBayeux Tapestry

Its defences were fortified in 1283 and underwent upgrades until the end of theWar of the Breton Succession in 1365.^[1]

Second castle

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In 1382,John V, Duke of Brittany seized the previous castle from the Dinan family, and Etienne le Tur built the current keep in 1382–3; it was in use by 1384.^[2]

The castle was then enlarged between 1595–98 byPhilippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercœur after annexing the Porte du Guichet and the Tour de Coëtquen, and the castle was subsequently altered by Garanjeau, a military engineer, between 1693–1711.^[3]

The castle was listed for protection as amonument historique in 1886.^[4] It is owned by thecommune and houses the local museum.

Description

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It is calledDonjon de la duchesse Anne (Keep of theDuchess Anne), and stands 111 feet (34m) high near theSaint Louis gate.^[2]

The keep is formed by a union of two tall circular towers; amoat anddrawbridge divides the keep from the outside of the ramparts as well as from the inside of the city, providing a stronghold both against outsiders and from the townspeople themselves.^[5] Extensivemachicolations overhang the wall head providing defensive coverage of the base of the tower.

The keep and the gate are part of the 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) of medievalramparts which still surround the old town.