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CULTURE

Why does the French seaside town Dinard host an annual British film festival?

The French town of Dinard, nestled on the northern coast of Brittany, will host its annual edition of its British film festival this week.

Published: 25 September 2023 12:03 CEST
The Dinard Festival du Film Britannique is a must-see event in northwestern France.
The Dinard Festival du Film Britannique is a must-see event in northwestern France. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)

The Dinard Festival du Film Britannique (Dinard British Film Festival) will open for its 43rd edition on September 27th and run until October 1st.

Thousands of cinephiles are expected to descend on the small seaside town Dinard, in Brittany, northwestern France for a big-screen bonanza of British films. 

In the past, classics such as The Full Monty and Billy Elliott have picked up prizes but recently, the emphasis is on independent films and filmmakers hoping to break into the European market. 

Among the 2023 entries are Silent Roar (Johnny Barrington), Girl (Adura Onashile), Silver Haze (Sacha Polak) and Scrapper (Charlotte Regan) – alongside a host of short films. 

The top prize, is known as the Hitchcock d’Or – a nod to the legendary British director, Alfred Hitchcock. 

Why is this happening in Dinard? 

In the 19th Century, British aristocrats developed a taste for sea-bathing as a therapeutic practice believing it was good for both mind and body. 

Attracted by its beautiful beaches, cliffs and mild climate, many of them began gravitating towards Dinard for their holidays, constructing large villas and contributing to the expansion of the town. This Victorian-inspired architectural legacy is still clear today and many refer to Dinard as ‘one of the most British’ of all the French seaside towns. 

While many wealthy Brits now prefer to head further south to places like the Côte d’Azure for their holidays, Dinard and Brittany more generally, retains a significant British population. 

The Dinard Festival du Film Britannique was first set up in 1989 by a local cinéphile named Thierry de la Fournière who said in a previous interview that the idea came to him as a way to “wake up the town”. 

“The British dimension of Dinard made it obvious [what kind of festival to put on],” he said. 

Over the years visits from stars like Hugh Grant, Daniel Craig, Catherine Deneuve and Monica Bellucci have added to the event’s prestige. 

Practical info 

It is possible to travel to Dinard by train from elsewhere in Brittany, as well as from Paris and Lille. The town is served by a small airport but there are no direct flights from the UK – only Ireland (Shannon, Cork and Dublin). It is however possible to fly to Saint-Malo, which is just a half hour car journey from Dinard, from the UK. 

Viewings take place in various venues throughout Dinard and are accompanied by French subtitles. 

A full schedule and tickets (with some viewings for as little as 5 euros) are available here. 

Visitors can also sign up to free guided visits of the scenic town, beginning at 10h, 14h and 16h each day from the Palais des arts. 

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FOOD AND DRINK

Three things to know about the new Paris cheese museum

The Musée Vivant du Fromage is due to open its doors in early June, promising a unique immersive and interactive journey into France’s ‘culinary and terroir heritage’.

Published: 15 March 2024 14:16 CET
Three things to know about the new Paris cheese museum

Paris will soon be home to a cheese museum.

The venue, on Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, in the fourth arrondissement, will open to visitors on June 3rd, sending – no doubt – clouds of cheesy odours wafting daily down the street.

It will be at the same location as the former restaurant ‘Nos Ancêtres Les Gaulois’ (Our ancestors the Gauls), with the objective of becoming “an essential meeting place” for cheese lovers, as well as both novices and professionals within the industry.

Here are a few things to know about the new cheese museum;

It will be interactive

Fans of camembert, chèvre, brie, morbier, Roquefort and brebis, assemble! The museum promises an educational and fully interactive tour of France’s historic cheese heritage, including the science and varied tradition of cheese-making.

The first portion will give an overview of the ‘culture’ of cheese. Then, you will learn about its history, as well as how it is made and finish off with a tasting (dégustation).

READ MORE: Best Briehaviour: Your guide to French cheese etiquette

There’s a dairy and creamery

Part of the tour features a fully functional dairy, where visitors can witness cheese being produced before their very eyes. 

There are two goals for this part of the museum – to help people discover the different regions of France and their iconic cheeses, as well as to encourage young people  to consider careers in the farming and dairy industry, which is enduring something of a recruitment crisis in France.

You will also be able to purchase cheese and souvenirs at the museum’s boutique.

It can host private events

The museum can be booked for private catered events for up to 150 people in the evenings, from 7pm, with or without the services of a cheese expert, who can guide guests through tastings and demonstrations. 

READ ALSO 7 tips for buying French cheese

Tickets are advertised at €20 for adults and €10 for children. For more information and to book a visit, log on to website of the Musée Vivant du fromage. Blessed are the cheese makers!

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