Rennes

Old Town

Not everyone knows that Rennes is one of the French cities with the largest number of half-timbered houses: with 286 medieval houses, it is second only to Strasbourg in Alsace.

Strolling unhurriedly through the cobbled streets of Chapitre, Palette and Saint-Sauveur, you can admire endless views, all colourful and enchanting, lined with quaint shops, cafés and delightful little restaurants, overlooking small intimate squares.

Take your time to stroll along rue Saint-Michel, rue Saint-George, rue du Champ-Jacquet, rue de Chapitre, rue de Dames, rue Saint-Yves: you will be amazed by the ever-changing views, photogenic corners and many shops to discover, such as the bookshops of Place Hoche.

Saint-Pierre Cathedral

For centuries, the Dukes of Brittany were crowned inside Saint-Pierre Cathedral: the building has always been the hub of the city.

On the outside, the cathedral is very classical, but the interior is striking, with its sumptuous stained glass windows, its Roman altar, its exceptional paintings, its incredible vaulting and its organs dating from the 19th century.

Portes Mordelaises

This large medieval gate was the main entrance to the city, used for both pedestrian and vehicle passage. Surrounded by two huge symmetrical towers, it provided protection to the city by means of a double raised bridge

It was customary for all dukes of Brittany to take an oath under this very gate, hence the nickname ‘the royal gate’. Unfortunately, there are very few remains of the Rennes city walls, although a project to create a walkway around the city is being studied.

Marché des Lices

Dating back to 1622, the Place des Lices market is the second largest market in France. Appointed every Saturday morning, you will find almost 300 local producers displaying fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, fresh fish, as well as flowers and garden arrangements.

It is the best place to sample local delicacies, savouring a joyful and colourful atmosphere, framed by the large half-timbered houses surrounding the square. In summer, musical groups also gather here to entertain visitors.

Opera of Rennes

Directly opposite the Town Hall is the smallest opera house in France, with less than 700 seats.

Its rounded shape was designed to perfectly fit the curved form of the town hall. Original and innovative at the time of its construction, the building received much criticism and was strongly contested at its inauguration.

Monumental by day, it shows its most fascinating aspect at night, when the square is cleverly illuminated.

The Parliament of Brittany

Until the French Revolution, meetings of the Parliament of Brittany were held here. Destroyed by fire in 1994, the Parliament was completely restored and today houses the Court of Appeal of Brittany and the Court of Assizes of Ille-et-Vilaine.

It is one of the few French public buildings to fulfil its administrative functions and at the same time be visited on certain days of the week, with tours organised by the Tourist Office. In summer, its façade becomes the stage for a sound and light show.

Thabor Park

Nicknamed the Central Park of Rennes, this immense green space of over ten hectares is particularly popular with the city’s inhabitants and tourists.

Here, you will find many different attractions: running tracks, botanical gardens, French and English parks, caves, ponds and waterfalls, an aviary and a rose garden with over 2000 varieties of roses.

In spring, the park hosts the Mythos Festival, while in summer it regularly hosts many musical, theatrical and city events.

Les Champs Libres

Much loved by the citizens of Rennes, Les Champs Libres is the city’s most important cultural centre and a meeting point at weekends.

It is home to the Museum of Brittany, a rich collection of objects that tell the history of the region from prehistory to the present day.

Particularly recommended for families is the Science Centre and its planetarium . The museum is dedicated to various themes that are very popular with children: biodiversity, food, dinosaurs and high-speed trains. Don’t miss Merlin’s laboratory, to learn the fascination of science through play, and the planetarium, to take a trip into the universe.

Also not to be missed is the huge 6-storey library: with its glass windows overlooking the city, it is often the venue for interesting exhibitions.

Museo delle Belle Arti

With a beautiful collection, ranging from Egyptian antiquity to the present day, the Rennes Museum of Fine Arts will delight art lovers.

It now exhibits works by great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Donatello, La Tour, Rubens and Veronese.

The banks of La Vilaine

If you have some time to spare for an outdoor activity, we recommend strolling along the banks of La Vilaine, the river that flows through the city.

Along the banks you can admire the city and its buildings: an unusual vantage point, enchanting with its picturesque barges and unusual corners to photograph. Stop at the Jardins de la Confluence, a green corner with jetties, walkways and benches, ideal for taking a break or sunbathing.

For the more adventurous, a 45-kilometre route from the François Mitterrand shopping centre takes you to the Apigné ponds, where you can admire castles and mills along the way. The most scenic is definitely the Moulin de Boël, from which there is a magnificent view of the river.