Château de Dinan

The Château de Dinan consists of a keep, in the town of Dinan, in the Côtes-d'Armor département of the Brittany region of France.

The keep and the gate are part of the 2600 m of medieval ramparts which still surround the old town.

It is called Donjon de la duchesse Anne (Keep of the Duchess Anne), and stands 111 feet (34m) high near the Saint Louis gate. John V, Duke of Brittany built the keep in 1382–1383. The keep is formed by a union of two tall circular towers; a moat and drawbridge 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. Extensive machicolations overhang the wall head providing defensive coverage of the base of the tower.

The castle was listed for protection as a monument historique in 1886. It is owned by the commune and houses the local museum.

History
The castle is nearly 1000 years old and is one of the earliest castles, due to the fact that it appeared in the Bayeux Tapestry.