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- Things to Do in Rennes
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The capital of Bretagne, Rennes’s history predates the Roman empire. It was a small Gallic village, with Celtic originsas early as 2BC. Those Celtic origins continue to be heard in names of places and people in Bretagne. After the Romans invaded, its location about 55 km (34 miles) away from the English Channel, made it an important strategic base....
1. Visit the Parlement de Bretagne
The seat of the Breton Parliament was established in 1485 under the Duchy of Brittany, and continued after Brittany became a part of France. The Kings of France and their descendants reluctantly let Bretagne continue to maintain its own parliament (under the agreement insisted upon Anne). It was spared in the great fire of 1720 (when almost the entire downtown core of Rennes was destroyed). But that all came to an end with the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille in 1789. The Br...
2. Shop at Le Cour des Lices
The heart of the city, this large square holds many restaurants and bars. But probably one of my favorite things to do in Rennes is to visit one of the biggest producers’ market in France, the Marché des Lices. The first market was held here in 1453, and it has been a gathering point ever since. At one point in time, even executions took place here. The market has expanded several times, with everything from fruits and vegetables, flowers, and more being sold here. There are also large indoor...
3. Go inside Cathedral Saint Pierre
The earliest church on this site was in the 6th century, replaced by a gothic cathedral that has been continually under construction and renovation since the 12th century. Interestingly, it is here that on December 25, 1483, the future Henry VII of England, then in exile in Brittany, promises to marry Elisabeth of York, daughter of the previous King Edward IV of England. Their actual wedding in 1486 seals the end of the Wars of the Roses and leads to the Tudor dynasty in England. Like some of...
From Paris Montparnasse station, it takes about 1.5 hours on the train direct to Rennes. There is also a small international airport, with direct flights from across Europe. Another option is to stay in Caen and take a day tripover to Rennes.
Two nights is likely sufficient, including the night you arrive. If you are planning a weekend trip, make sure you arrive with enough time to explore the Marché des Lices which runs every Saturday morning from 7:30am to 1:30pm. In all, Rennes is an excellent destination for a short city break, and is close to other tourist stalwarts like Saint-Malo...
There are quite a few hotels around the train station, which are quite central with a good amount of shops and restaurants nearby. That being said, the area is quite modern and doesn’t quite have the old world charm that the area around Marché des Lices does. It is a pleasant 10-minute walk from the train station to the Marché des Lices. Hotels aro...
- The Old Town of Rennes. The city of Rennes was almost entirely wiped out by a great fire in 1720. This is why you would find several dignified late 1700s houses when you visit.
- Parc du Thabor. On Rennes’ highest hill is ten hectares of the most superb gardens you may ever see. Parc du Thabor is a marvel. If you need to be swayed, think about the rose gardens in summer, where over 2,000 varieties bloom yearly.
- Palais du Parlement de Bretagne. After the unification of Brittany and France in 1532, the city’s influence soared almost suddenly, and it assumed the home of one of the country’s 17 regional administrations.
- Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes (Musée des Beaux-Arts) Like a good number of French regional museums, the city’s Musée des Beaux-Arts opened after the French Revolution, with artworks confiscated from religious buildings and massive homes in the area.
Sep 10, 2024 · While French is the official language in Rennes, many locals, especially those working in the tourism industry, can communicate in English. However, it is always helpful to learn a few basic French phrases for convenience.
Rennes (French pronunciation: ⓘ; Breton: Roazhon [ˈrwɑːõn]; Gallo: Resnn; Latin: Condate Redonum) is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France at the confluence of the rivers Ille and Vilaine. Rennes is the prefecture of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.
Jun 21, 2016 · Here's why they say Rennes is such an excellent place to live for foreigners (and French people as well, of course). It’s a ‘city with a small town vibe’.
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Aug 17, 2024 · Rennes, France. The city’s name is derived from the Redones, a Celtic tribe that established its capital there. Under Roman occupation the town became the centre of communications of the province of Armorica. In the Middle Ages it vied with Nantes as capital of the dukes of Brittany.
