THE SEASIDE

The birth of Dinard the seaside resort dates back to the Second Empire. At that time, only a few tourists in search of calm would come every year to spend the long summer months on the still untouched coast. The first resort establishment --the Hôtel de Dinard - was built in 1859. Today it is known as the Grand Hôtel. In the same year, on the beach at l'Ecluse, at that time a deserted strand, the lifesaver Edouard Legros opened his sea bathing establishment. A few years later came the inauguration of the Casino, built of wood and on piles that were beaten by each incoming tide. At about this same period, the first British families began to settle in Dinard and created the resorts first clubs : the Tennis Club, the oldest in France ; the Golf Club, the Second oldest after Pau ; the New Club and the Billiards Club. The year 1868 has come to be known as the year of the missed appointment with history, as the empress Eugenia cancelled her scheduled stay at Dinard ; but the best known resort in Europe was well and truly launched and magnificent villas were built on the headlands at La Malouine and Le Moulinet. Dinard continued its development and soon took on the title of Dinard les Bains.
Its streets and hotels reinforced the image of a seaside resort : the street of the baths and the hotel of the baths, the hotel of the seaside villas, the beach hotel. And as the turn of the century approched, Dinard burst into celebration and colour : the late 1880's - the era of High Society, Dinard's own " Belle Epoque ", her " Golden Age ". The rythm was frenzied as receptions and parties followed one after the other. Evnings at the Casino and dinners at the home of Mrs Hughes Hallet, the villa Monplaisir, drew the " Who's Who " of Dinard society. For after all, in social terms, Mrs Hallet was the " Queen of Dinard " and Dinard was her Kingdom. At the end of the19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century, an unending stream of celebrities came back each year to enjoy the resort in its prime. Presidents were recived here ; kings and queens, Princes Princesses from all over Europe inhabited the villas and hotels and patronized the Casino. Dinard's " Grand Week " of horseraces every day at le Bois Thomelin and afternoon regattas in the bay still ends with superb receptions in the Casino followed by the traditional fireworks display. Dinard still has its magnificent beaches, its seaside promenades, the sumptuous villas and the rich gardens in full bloom. The resort has been able to adapt to the demands of modern tourism while guarding the nostalgia and charm of the " Belle Epoque ".dinard today offers all the attractions of a young town - it is lively , dynamic and sports-minded.