I present here a non-exhaustive list of famous artists who spent time in Dinard. There is a special relationship between Dinard and artists (whether actors, directors, writers, painters, singers, etc.) and I will share here a few big names that spent quite some time in Dinard.
Pablo Picasso at Villa Beauregard
In 1922, Picasso, who was already a renowned and prosperous painter in Paris, discovered Dinard. He married Olga Khokhlova, a dancer from the Ballets Russes, and their first child, Paulo, had just turned one. Concerned about Paulo’s delicate health, the couple took him to Dinard, where the climate was known for its invigorating qualities.
They rented the Villa Beauregard, located on Georges V Avenue, offering a stunning view of the Prieuré Bay. Picasso was amazed by the beaches, the sunbathing women, and began sketching scenes on the sands of Saint-Enogat, Prieuré, and l’Écluse beaches, which later inspired paintings such as Two Women Running on the Beach and Family by the Sea.
However, the atmosphere during the family’s second stay in Dinard in 1928 was much different. They stayed at Villa Les Roches, in front of the Saint-Enogat beach, and tensions were high.
Picasso had fallen in love with another woman, Marie-Thérèse Walter, whom he met in 1926 in Paris. The 19-year-old woman was also in Dinard and Picasso would visit her daily in the bathing cabins at the l’Écluse beach. Olga was not fooled by these meetings, and from Dinard, Picasso returned with a series of geometric and disjointed Bathers paintings. Stormy times were ahead! Picasso and his wife returned to Dinard one last time in July 1929, staying at the Le Gallic Hotel.
Six years later, Maya, the daughter of Picasso and Marie-Thérèse, was born. Olga, while exiting the scene, never divorced Picasso. Then, in 1936, Picasso began a new relationship with photographer Dora Maar, leaving behind the Atlantic Coast and his past loves for the Riviera.
Kirk Douglas at the Grand Hotel
When you think of Brittany, you might remember the famous actor Kirk Douglas and his connection to the Grand Hotel in Dinard. The American actor (with its trademark dimple) spent three months in 1957 at this prestigious establishment, along with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. They were filming Richard Fleischer’s The Vikings at Fort la Latte, located about 30 kilometers from Dinard.
At the hotel’s bar, Kirk Douglas enjoyed a unique cocktail called “333,” made with equal parts orange juice, Cointreau, and gin, topped with a dash of champagne. This special drink became his favorite, and the bar is now named “333” in honor of their iconic guest. Be sure to taste this famous drink that connects the Grand Hotel (and Dinard) to a slice of Hollywood history.
Lawrence of Arabia at Chalet du Vallon
Thomas Edward Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, spent a significant part of his childhood in Dinard, France. In 1891, when he was three, his family moved to Chalet du Vallon, a large house near the Bay of Prieuré. The family sought refuge from scandal, as Thomas’ father, Thomas Chapman, an Irish aristocrat, had left his wife for Sarah Lawrence, the governess of his daughters. To avoid dishonor, he adopted his new partner’s surname.
Young Lawrence attended the Sainte-Marie school close to their home. At the age of six, the family left Dinard to wander between England and the Channel Islands for several years.
Lawrence returned to Dinard every summer between the ages of 18 and 22. His love for archeology and history brought him back to the region, where he would explore medieval ruins on his bicycle. These experiences likely inspired Lawrence’s later works, both in literature and photography, as he captured his explorations and the beauty of the landscapes he discovered.
Agatha Christie at the Écluse Beach
Dinard has been a popular destination for British tourists, including the renowned author Agatha Christie. As a teenager, she visited this charming Breton seaside resort, which was a magnet for the British gentry during the 19th century. This was due to the establishment of Villa Sainte-Catherine by Lyona Faber, a British officer’s young widow, who helped transform Dinard into a chic vacation spot.
In her “Autobiography,” Agatha Christie fondly recalls her experiences in Dinard, where she learned to swim at the aristocratic Écluse beach. Overcoming challenges and her disbelief, she eventually managed to successfully swim six strokes on her own.
Her memories in Dinard extend beyond the beach, as she also faced cultural differences with the French locals during her stay. For instance, she was shocked by the rough manners at the marketplace after a young boy carrying a basket of pastries bumped into her and hurt her arm.
Another interesting detail from Agatha Christie’s Dinard stay highlights her fondness for wild blackberries, which she and her French-speaking governess, Marie Sigé, would consume in the afternoons. Unbeknownst to them, the local Breton people considered these fruits poisonous.
Serge Gainsbourg at 40 Rue de la Vallée
Between 1938 and 1940, a young Lucien Ginsburg (who became famous under his artist name Serge Gainsbourg) spent his summers in the town of Dinard. His father, Joseph Ginsburg, a pianist, was hired at the Balnéum Casino, leading the family to reside in a modest house on Rue de la Vallée. You would find the young boy spending afternoons at the Écluse beach with his mother, older sister, and twin sister.
Andrée Audrin, a childhood friend of the renowned artist, shared her memories with Le Télégramme in 2011, twenty years after Serge’s passing. She recalled a shy, gentle boy who took piano lessons at Villa Nahant and protected girls at the beach from mischievous kids who tried to splash water on them.
Edmond Rostand at Villa Bel Esbat
In 1896, renowned playwright Edmond Rostand was struggling with a creative block. At just 30 years old, he had already achieved several successes in Paris and was facing immense pressure to produce a new play.
His wife, poetess Rosemonde Gérard, decided that a change of scenery might help and took him to Dinard, a beautiful place known for inspiring artists, painters, and art enthusiasts alike.
It is possible that actress Sarah Bernhardt, who fell in love with Brittany and spent her summers in a former military fortress on Belle-Île-en Mer, suggested this destination. Hoping to spark his creativity, Rosemonde rented the charming Villa Bel Esbat, located at the tip of La Malouine for their summer stay.
Edmond Rostand wrote his masterpiece in Dinard, Cyrano de Bergerac, which went on to become a massive hit when it premiered at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin on December 28, 1897.
The Lumière brothers at the Goule aux Fées Cave
In 1884, you would have found Auguste and Louis Lumière vacationing in a beautiful villa in Saint-Enogat, Dinard. While they hadn’t yet made their first film, “Sortie d’Usine” (1895), the concept of imagery already captivated them.
The Lumière brothers were researching a color photo printing process and sought a darkroom. The Goule aux Fées cave, with its local legends of occasionally malevolent fairies, proved to be the perfect spot.
The story goes that, engrossed in their experiments, the brothers were unexpectedly trapped in the cave by a rising tide: they had to spend the entire night in the cave.
Éric Rohmer at Plage de l’Écluse
During July 1995, on the Plage de l’Écluse of Côte d’Émeraude, an elderly gentleman wearing a straw hat intrigued beachgoers as he filmed a young man engaging with three lovely ladies. That gentleman was none other than the 80-year-old acclaimed filmmaker Éric Rohmer.
Rohmer was directing one of his last films, “Conte d’Été,” with 23-year-old Melvil Poupaud in the lead role. Despite the bustling crowd of holidaymakers, Rohmer humorously remarked that he had more extras on set than Cecil B. DeMille.
Sarah Bernhardt at Villa Les Roches Brunes
Villa Les Roches Brunes, a unique Louis XIII-style building in Dinard, was constructed in 1893 for the famous Poussineau brothers, who were integral figures in Parisian fashion. Auguste, the personal hairstylist for Empress Eugenie, and Émile, a prominent designer known as Félix, catered to clients like Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi) and Sarah Bernhardt. It’s believed that Bernhardt visited the luxurious villa during her many stays in Brittany.
Since 2007, the villa has been owned by the city of Dinard, which organizes exhibitions within its walls. Showcased artists include painters, sculptors, and official marine painters. During these events, you can witness the incredible talent and artistic impact of figures like Sarah Bernhardt, who besides being a famous actress, was also a skilled painter and sculptor.