Rue du Jerzual down to the Port

What it is

The rue du Jerzual is the street that links the upper town of Dinan with the port on the Rance. In the Middle Ages it was the only route between the town and the port, along which goods bound by river for Saint-Malo went up and down; in the 18th century the town's weavers carried the sailcloth down here to be shipped downriver. Today it is a cobbled and very steep street, among timber-framed houses, with craftsmen's workshops and galleries.

Halfway down you pass through the Jerzual gate, one of the five gates of the wall. Below it, the street continues under the name rue du Petit-Fort to the port, where the stone viaduct of 1852 crosses the valley above the rooftops.

The route

1. At the top, you leave the upper town by the rue de la Lainerie, where the Crêperie du Roy is, which leads to the Jerzual.
2. The descent is short but steep: cobbles, bends and leaning houses on both sides. Stop at the workshops and galleries along the street.
3. The Jerzual gate. Its wall walk, reopened in July 2026, has the best view over the port; you climb up from the rue Michel or the rue de l'École (more in the entry on the ramparts).
4. Rue du Petit-Fort to the bottom, with more old houses.
5. The port: quays with terraces, pleasure boats and the viaduct above. From here leaves the towpath to Léhon and arrive the Rance boats.

Going down takes about 15 minutes without stops; with workshops and photos, an hour there and back. Going up is harder: take it easy.

When to go

In the morning, before eleven, the street is quiet. At midday in July and August there are lots of people on the descent. At the end of the afternoon, the port fills with terraces. In rain, the cobbles are very slippery.

With children, a pushchair or reduced mobility

With children it is an entertaining walk, but the slope and the cobbles are not suitable for a pushchair or wheelchair: bring a baby carrier. If you have reduced mobility, you can reach the port by car and see the lower part from there.

Getting there and parking

If you start at the top, park in the upper town: the Jean Monnet car park, at 53 rue Victor Schoelcher, is free all year, and the place Duguesclin is a car park except on Thursday mornings, market day.

If you prefer to start at the bottom, the P1 Plaine du Port car park is on the rue du Port. Under the viaduct there is also a motorhome car park, with a maximum height of 4 m. From the port you climb the Jerzual and return the same way.

To round it off

At the top, the Clock Tower gives the overall view. If you stay the night, the Hôtel Arvor is inside the old town, and the Camping de la Hallerais, downriver, is linked to the port by the towpath.