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Visit Rennes

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A capital western city!

Rennes basks in a buzzing yet easy-going atmosphere, appealing to the heart and the mind with a leisurely welcome and plenty of surprises in store. Along its cobbled streets you’ll love its lively café terraces, Arc Deco architecture, friendly restaurants, local markets, festivals and designer boutiques. Take your time, and why not the metro, to explore it!

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Experience Rennes

A strikingly contrasting and varied present, steeped in a prestigious past on the edge of Brittany , Rennes is a truly eclectic cityscape, shaped by its colourful history – its half-timbered houses hark back to the Middle Ages, the Places du Parlement and de la Mairie showcase the grandeur of the 18th century, Maillols’ Towers are ‘60s landmarks and the futuristic-looking train station is undoubtedly 21st century… A city that moves with the times, yet is still one of France’s greenest, with gardens – first and foremost Thabor – its river, towpaths and miles of cycle paths. For those in the know, exploring it aboard an electric boat or a kayak is a delight!

Weekend break in Rennes

This is THE city to get away for the perfect weekend, just 90 minutes from Paris. Here you can effortlessly combine shopping, heritage and insightful discoveries for a thoroughly enjoyable time! Enjoy its lively bars, upbeat community venues and waterside cafés and marvel at the temporary wall frescoes on the M.U.R., Rue Vasselot… There’s much to thrill in terms of art, architecture and design too: its Regional Contemporary Art Fund ( FRAC ) is among the most impressive in France. The Fine Arts Museum is home to a trove of treasures, from La Tour to Rubens. Designed by the architect Christian de Portzamparc, Les Champs Libres champions art and science with a museum, science centre, library and spacious café. From the Odorico Art Deco mosaics to the works of Jean Nouvel, Georges Maillots or the Bouroullec brothers, set off on a treasure hunt around this creative city!

Every Saturday morning, for four centuries and counting, the city has hosted France’s 2nd largest market, the Marché des Lices.

Did you know?

Rocking it for 40 years!

Marquis de Sade, Daho, Obispo, Niagara, Her, Lujipeka: the capital of French rock is a hotbed of musical talent. From the Trans Musicales to the Maintenant festivals, not to mention its acclaimed concert halls, Rennes embraces all styles of music.

A celebration of flavours

With a rich spread of local producers and markets, Rennes is a foodies’ paradise. Every Saturday morning, for four centuries, the city has hosted France’s 2nd largest market, the Marché des Lices: a cave of the finest, wholesome wonders. You simply must try the famous delicacy: sausage wrapped in a buckwheat pancake! Creative, locally-sourced cuisine is the star of the show here, with a wide array of supporting acts: food tours, brunches, Marché à Manger every first Sunday of the month and a big culinary festival in October led by Nourritures, a group of chefs rallied around meaningful and inspiring values. Food is given pride of place at the city’s music festivals too: at Mythos and the Grand Soufflet , you can chomp and stomp along to the beat in equal measure!

Plan your trip

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, gites, short-stay rentals, holiday homes, unique and unusual places to stay… Everything you need to make your dreams come true!

Looking for adventure in the great outdoors? Whether you prefer climbing trees, sailing on the water, going to the zoo or visiting a museum… Brittany has got you covered!

Rennes Tourist Office

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What shouldn’t you miss?

• Portes Mordelaises, the Duchesne tower (15th century)
• The Palace of the Parliament of Brittany: one century of of building work (1618-1709)
• The mansion houses (17th to 19th centuries)
• A rich tradition of half-timbered houses (15th to 17th centuries)
• The royal square of the town hall and the royal square of the Parliament of Brittany (18th century)
• The opera (19th century), Saint-Georges palace (17th century) and Saint-Georges swimming pool (1925)
• Saint-Yves chapel (15th century): permanent exhibition “Rennes, Métropole d’art et d’histoire”

How to get there / get around

Getting to rennes.

Rennes is easy to reach by train from the main cities. With the opening of the High-Speed Line in July 2017, Rennes is just 90 minutes from Paris-Montparnasse. There are 18 TGV, inOui and OuiGo trains from Paris each day.

For the other direct lines, it takes 3 hours 25 for Lille-Rennes, 3 hours 50 for Lyon-Rennes, 5 hours 05 for Strasbourg-Rennes and 5 hours 45 for Marseille-Rennes without going via Paris.

Do you want to fly? A number of airlines propose scheduled and low-cost flights. From the airport, take the bus to the city centre in 20 minutes.

By car, it takes 3 hours 30 from Paris on the A11 and then the A81, and 4 hours 30 from Bordeaux on the A83 and the N137 after Nantes.

For a low-cost journey, choose from the coach lines Flixbus and BlaBlaBus .

Getting around in Rennes and its region

The best way to feel the soul of the Breton capital is by strolling leisurely through the cobbled streets in the old town and the pedestrian streets. Did you know that Rennes is one of few cities outside Paris to have a metro? This means you can travel the city from north to south very quickly. With the  STAR network (bus + metro), you can leave your car in a park&ride to discover the city with peace of mind on public transport. If you fancy, you can hire  self-service bicycles  starting at €1.  TER train links also take you to the coast, in particular  Saint-Malo , in less than one hour.

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A crossroads since Roman times, Brittany's vibrant capital sits at the junction of highways linking northwestern France's major cities. It's a beautifully set-out city, with an elaborate and stately centre and a superb medieval quarter that's a joy to get lost in. At night, this student city has no end of lively places to pop in for a pint, while the restaurant selection is superb.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Extensive collections span the 15th century to the present at the Museum of Fine Arts, plus there is a section devoted to antiquities. The Pont-Aven…

Piscine Saint-Georges

The amazing building housing these baths makes for an astonishing sight as you walk up Rue Gambetta. Constructed between 1923 and 1926, it was designed by…

Champs Libres

Rennes' futuristic cultural centre is home to the Musée de Bretagne, with displays on Breton history and culture. Under the same roof is Espace des…

Cathédrale St-Pierre

Crowning Rennes' old town is the 17th-century cathedral, which has an impressive, if dark, neoclassical interior adorned with a fabulous ceiling.

Musée de Bretagne

The excellent Musée de Bretagne contains exhaustive and in-depth displays on Breton history and culture, through to the modern era.

Palais du Parlement de Bretagne

This 17th-century former seat of the rebellious Breton parliament has, in more recent times, been home to the Palais de Justice. In 1994 this building was…

Espace des Sciences

Highly popular with and chiefly aimed at kids, the Espace des Sciences is a fun interactive science museum arranged over two floors, situated in Rennes'…

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Latest stories from Rennes

Sep 28, 2023 • 4 min read

The Breton capital is filled with retailers who celebrate the region’s rich creative heritage.

Nov 11, 2022 • 6 min read

May 31, 2019 • 4 min read

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Rennes travel guide

Visit Rennes (Brittany, France)

The important town of Rennes is located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in the centre of eastern Brittany, and is both the capital of the region and a busy regional hub.

Explore Rennes

France This Way review: as with many large towns, Rennes is slightly disappointing as you arrive through areas of industrial development...but head for the historic centre and Rennes quickly reveals a charming medieval centre and an elegant 18th century sector, a perfect place to start your visit.

The city centre is quite compact and easy to explore on foot, with the medieval area in the north and west of the centre.

Medieval Rennes and the cathedral

The most interesting part of your visit is the medieval centre of Rennes. Unfortunately a large part of this was destroyed by a fire in 1720 that raged for a week and burned down more than 900 houses and buildings.

The part which survived, with the impressive tall half-timbered houses that you will have seen in almost every postcard of Rennes, is in Rue du Champ-Jacquet and the streets to the west and south of here towards the Place des Lices and the cathedral.

This is the most picturesque part of Rennes and where visitors spend the most time, ambling along the streets admiring the ancient buildings and pausing for a coffee. Many of the houses have been painted in bright colours and incorporate interesting historical carvings.

The Place Saint-Ann is a lovely place to stop for your lunch in medieval Rennes whilst admiring both the lovely medieval buildings around two edges of the square and the Cathedral on the other side.

Just off the Rue de la Monnaie you can see the Portes Mordelaises, the gateway which was the main entrance to the medieval city.

Next you can visit the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre. Rennes cathedral has retained its original 16th century facade although the rest of the cathedral is an 18th-19th century rebuild.

The interior of the cathedral is in the neo-classical style with numerous columns and lots of plasterwork and gilding, and includes a grand altarpiece from the 16th century.

Rennes in the 17th and 18th century

After exploring the medieval quarter you can explore the more recent part of Rennes, which has lots of grand buildings typical of the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the most imposing is the splendid mansion called 'Hotel de Blossac', and also here in Rue du Chapitre you can see the Hotel de Brie.

The Place de la Marie with its lovely Theatre building is a treat and is also a popular venue for events in the town. When I was in Rennes there was a ‘farm in the town’ exhibition complete with pigs, cows and vegetable gardens!

The most imposing building in the square is the 18th century town hall (the previous town hall was destroyed in the great fire of 1720) with imposing classical style wings either side of a large belltower.

The lovely St George Palace and Gardens are easily visible as the palace is raised up from the gardens and the gardens, planted on a slope, are a mass of colour.

Continue a little further along to discover the Place de la Republique with the splendid Palais du Commerce. This is an attractive square with a pleasant contemporary garden area in the middle.

To the north-east of the Place de la Mairie opposite the gardens of the Place du Parlement de Bretagne you can see the parliament building. Despite being very damaged by a fire in 1994, five years of rebuilding have restored the impressive building.

Dating from the 17th century, the parliament contains several very grand rooms and ornate ceilings and other rooms of interest.

Other sites in Rennes town centre

The Rue la Fayette, an elegant pedestrianised street in the centre of Rennes is a good starting place if you are looking for up-market shops.

To escape from the bustle of Rennes for a while you can explore the pleasant Jardin du Thabor, next to the Church of Saint Melanie.

Rennes Museums

There are two noteworthy museums in Rennes, the Musee de Bretagne and the Musee des Beaux-Arts. Both are in the same building on the Quai Emile-Zola in the south-east of the town centre and both deserve a visit.

The first museum explores the history of Brittany, and the second has a good collection of paintings from medieval times to the 20th century.

Activities and festivals in Rennes

Rennes is a student town with a vibrant night life. Head for the Rue St Michel if you are in town for the evening. Rue Saint Georges, Rue St Malo and the Place des Lices are also good places to find lots of activity.

At the beginning of July every year Rennes hosts its celebrated ‘Tombées de la Nuit' festival. This is a mixture of music, light shows, juggling and fire-eating and the whole town gets involved. (A few French towns now do these light shows where buildings are lit up in a mass of vibrant colour - they really are well worth tracking down.)

You can find more travel ideas in the Ille-et-Vilaine guide and the Brittany guide .

Photos of Rennes

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Map of rennes and places nearby, visit near rennes with france this way reviews.

Chateaugiron

The castle and towers in the heart of old Chateaugiron help explain why it is now classed as a 'small city of character'.

Becherel is a pretty town and a centre for books.

Combourg is best known for the Chateau de Combourg, once home to Chateaubriand, the romantic French author

A town not be missed, Vitré has a superb historic centre with numerous fascinating medieval buildings

Paimpont is well known for its 'magical forest', part of the ancient forests that once covered Brittany

Saint-Brice-en-Cogles

Most visitors to Saint-Brice-en-Cogles also enjoy the tour of the local castles and manor houses

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Ille-et-Vilaine

Tourist classifications for Rennes

Rennes has received the following tourist classifications: listed town of Art and History ; historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)

Address: Rennes, Brittany, 35000, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 48.1147, longitude -1.67944

Plan your visit to Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby.

• Cesson-Sevigne: ville fleurie 4* (6 km)
• Chartres-de-Bretagne: ville fleurie 4* (8 km)
• Le Rheu: ville fleurie 4* (9 km)
• Jardin des fontaines et parc de l’Athanor: remarkable garden (12 km)
• Forêt de Rennes: site of natural beauty (12 km)
• Abbaye Notre-Dame du Nid-au-Merle: site of natural beauty (14 km)
• Complexe forestier Rennes-Liffré-Chèvre, étang et lande d'Ouée, forêt de Haute-Sève: site of natural beauty (15 km)
• Jardins de Broceliande: remarkable garden (16 km)
• Forêt de Chevré: site of natural beauty (20 km)
• Bedee: village d'etape (21 km)
• Vallée du Canut: site of natural beauty (22 km)
• Étangs du canal d'Ille-et-Rance: site of natural beauty (25 km)

Market days in Rennes, France

Regular market(s) are held in Rennes each Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Rennes (Francais)

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Rennes Tourist Office

Welcome to rennes, capital of brittany.

Degemer mat!*

* “Welcome” in Breton

Rennes is a multi-faceted city of many influences, a pleasantly sized city with a strong Breton character. A lively, student city, a hot spot for food lovers and host to a number of festivals all year round. The economic and cultural capital of Brittany has also managed to retain its small-town atmosphere, where everything can be done on foot. With its pedestrianised streets, squares, monuments, colourful half-timbered houses and lively terraces, Rennes will charm you with the originality of its heritage and the hospitality of its inhabitants.

“An ideal location for visiting legendary sites”

Located just 1 hour 25 minutes from Paris by high-speed train (TGV), Rennes is the ideal destination for visiting Brittany’s legendary sites: in less than an hour from Rennes you’ll be in Saint-Malo and on the beaches of the Emerald Coast, at the heart of the mythical Broceliande Forest, the birthplace of Arthurian legends, or gazing over towards Mont-Saint-Michel. Rennes also lies at the crossroads of the region’s main cycling routes. Its privileged location makes Rennes the Goldilocks of tourist destinations: “just right” for discovering all the treasures of Brittany.

Travel time from Rennes

• To Saint-Malo : By Rennes-Saint-Malo train – operated by SNCF. Travel time: 50 min. Full fare: €15. By car: 55 minutes on the RN137 trunk road.
• To Mont-Saint-Michel : By Rennes-Mont-Saint-Michel bus – operated by Keolis. Travel time: 1 h 10 min. Full fare: €15. By car: 59 minutes on the A84 motorway (no toll).
• To Brocéliande Forest : By Bus n°1a – operated by Breizhgo. Travel time: 1 h. Full fare: €5. By car: 45 minutes on the RN 24 towards Lorient/Vannes.
• To Gulf of Morbihan : By Rennes-Vannes train – operated by SNCF. Travel time: 1 h. Full fare: €20. By car: 1 h 30 min. on the RN 24.
• To Nantes : By Rennes-Nantes train – operated by SNCF. Travel time: 1 h 15 min. Full fare: €18. 1 h by car on the N137.

10 must-have experiences in Rennes

Where you can stay in Rennes

Hotels and accommodation to suit every taste

In Rennes, you’ll find a wide range of hotels and accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. The youth hostel is located on the banks of the canal along the V42 green cycle route to Saint-Malo, not far from the Gayeulles campsite, which is set in a huge park close to the green route. Other establishments are also very affordable in terms of rates, such as the riverside Chouettes Hostel, which has shared dormitories, one of which is reserved for girls. When it comes to unusual accommodation, there are several places you won’t want to miss: the Mama Shelter, located at the heart of the historic center, and the Magic Hall, both of which offer highly original decor and an ideal location.

For lovers of relaxation, there are several 4- and 5-star spa hotels with swimming pools and wellness areas to choose from: the BW Premier Collection Saint-Antoine hôtel & Spa, the Novotel Spa and the Balthazar Hôtel & Spa, all just a 5-minute walk from the train station. Located a little further from the centre but accessible by metro, the BW Plus Hôtel Isidore and the Hôtel LeCoqGadby Hôtel & Spa are also ideal choices for those who enjoy massages, jacuzzi pools, hammams, etc.

You’ll find other beautiful residences around Rennes too: the Domaine de Cicé Blossac, a beautiful 4-star property nestled at the heart of a riverside golf course, the Château d’Apigné and its immense park, where you can live that authentic château lifestyle, and numerous charming B&Bs and gîtes if you’re looking to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Breton countryside.

A pleasantly sized city

In Rennes, everything can be done on foot or by metro

If you want to get around Rennes, nothing beats walking. The historic center is like a village. It takes just 20 minutes to get from the train station to the tourist office, where you’ll find a number of hotels. Rennes also has two metro lines that can take you from one end of the city to the other in less than 15 minutes. Finally, the day and night bus network and self-service bicycles complete the very comprehensive and safe transport network. Tickets for the bus and metro network cost €1.70 for one hour of unlimited travel across the entire network. There’s no need to buy a ticket – you can pay directly with your bank card at the entrance gates. Other day packages are available, with special rates for groups or families.

Rennes has two metro lines (a and b) that can take you across the whole city in just 15 minutes. In the historic centre, a free electric shuttle bus helps those who have trouble walking to get around.

Bus routes connect the airport to all parts of the metropolitan area, and provide easy access to all neighbourhoods, day and night. Taxi ranks are located just outside the TGV station, where you’ll also find a number of car rental companies (on level 0 towards the West exit). Tickets are valid for the entire bus and metro network, and also give free access to park-and-ride facilities at the city gates.

Last but not least, the Star network offers a self-service bike rental service from €1 per hour (and €2 for 24 hours). There are 50 stations throughout the city where you can rent or return the bikes. Right next to the bus station, the Maison du vélo (15 bis place de la gare) also offers short-term bike rentals.

Need advice?

We’re waiting to welcome you to the Tourist Office

Rennes Tourist Office is located at 1 rue Saint-Malo in the Couvent des Jacobins (convention centre). It’s open 7 days a week, and easily accessible from the Sainte-Anne metro station. The English-speaking travel consultants who work there will give you plenty of ideas for visiting the city, finding accommodation and making the most of your trip to Brittany.

You can also book guided tours and purchase tickets for shows and leisure activities throughout the city and beyond. A shop in the Tourist Office offers a wide selection of local products and environmentally responsible souvenirs.

Tourist Office opening hours:

The Tourist Office, located at 1 rue Saint-Malo, is open 7 days a week at the following times:

• September 1 to June 30 : Monday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• July 1 to August 31 : Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sundays and public holidays : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on December 25, January 1 and May 1).
• Exceptional closures : December 24 and 31 at 5 p.m.

Questions you may have before coming to Rennes.

What’s the weather like in Rennes?

The Breton climate is mild and temperate. Summer is generally cooler than in other French regions. In winter, sub-zero temperatures are rare. Generally speaking, the weather in Rennes, like everywhere else in Brittany, is quite changeable. It’s not uncommon to have alternating rain and clear skies in the same day, so it’s a good idea to bring a light rain jacket just in case. In autumn, the region is occasionally swept by ocean storms that are more spectacular than they are dangerous. Spring is particularly pleasant, with cool mornings and pleasant afternoon temperatures. Across the entire year, average temperatures in Rennes are around 13 degrees. Excluding heatwaves, summer temperatures fluctuate between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, or even higher.

What are the local culinary specialities?

If there’s one local speciality you really must try in Brittany, it’s galettes de blé noir (savoury) and crêpes au froment (sweet). In Rennes, there are almost forty crêperies where you can sample these delights. These are traditional, inexpensive restaurants that serve dishes for the whole family. But Rennes’ signature speciality is the galette saucisse: a tasty pork sausage wrapped in a buckwheat pancake. It’s a kind of hot dog served with Breton sauce, and usually accompanied by mustard and onion confit. A popular dish that can be enjoyed on the street or at the market, and which has another advantage: it only costs between €2.50 and €3. To be enjoyed without moderation. In Rennes, you’ll also find the Brittany’s finest local produce being served the restaurants: seafood and produce from local farms, with a higher proportion of organic produce than the rest of France.

When is the best time to visit Rennes?

Rennes can be enjoyed all year round, with a cultural or music festival taking place nearly every week. The liveliest times are at the end of the year, in December, when the Trans Musicales music festival, Christmas markets, outdoor lighting displays, huge projections onto the town hall and end-of-year shows all take place. During the summer months of June, July and August, you can enjoy major contemporary art exhibitions as part of Exporama, screenings at the Parlement de Bretagne and many other free festivals (Transat en ville and Tombées de la nuit). September is also a busy time for cultural events, with several film and music festivals and heritage days taking place, when you can visit many monuments free of charge. Spring is the ideal time for cycling, walking along the canals and strolling through the flower gardens (Le Thabor, Parc Oberthür, Prairies Saint-Martin, Jardin Saint-Georges).

What languages are spoken in Brittany?

The official language in Brittany and Rennes is French. The Breton language is still very much alive in the region. In the part of Haute-Bretagne where Rennes is located, the traditional language is called Gallo. If you don’t speak French, Breton, you’ll encounter plenty of English speakers due to the large student population and the region’s cultural proximity to Great Britain. Last but not least, at the Tourist Office, our travel consultants can answer your questions in English, German or Spanish.

Where can I safely leave my luggage?

Hotels often offer to keep your luggage safe if you’ve stayed there. Additionally, many shops and businesses are part of the nannybag network, making it easy to reserve somewhere to store your luggage.

Who to call in an emergency

Emergency numbers in Rennes are the same as anywhere else in France:

• 112, the European emergency number, even works without a SIM card.
• Call 18 to contact the fire service.
• Dial 15 to contact Samu (the emergency medical service).
• Call 17 to contact the police and gendarmes.

Gérer vos préférences

Rennes is the capital of Brittany, the most northwest region in France. A sea and countryside getaway, Brittany is famous for its unique heritage, medieval towns, and seaside villages. Dotted along the blue-green Atlantic coastline, towns like St. Malo, Dinard, and Cancale are long-time summer vacation spots for the French. Needless to say, you have to try the fresh seafood. Offshore, the island of Mont-Saint-Michel rests dreamily amongst the waves. One of the most beloved UNESCO heritage sites in France, this medieval abbey is connected to the mainland by a bridge over a treacherous causeway. Founded by a hermit, the island has a strange history. Once upon a time, pilgrims nicknamed it  "St. Michael in peril of the sea". Today it is known for its ‘salt meadow lamb’, an especially tasty cut of lamb raised on salty ocean grasses.  

Heading inland, you’ll find centuries-old churches, tumbledown cottages, and castles made from stone. Brittany’s ancient rocky landscape is very different from anywhere else in France, and its architecture is often likened to that of England or Ireland. This speaks to the special heritage of the Bretons who descend from a Celtic rather than a Frankish background. People here delight in their own music, culture, and language. Around Brittany, you’ll see signposts in Breton as well as in French, and you might even hear Binioù, the Breton bagpipe playing. In old-world towns like Dinan, the Breton spirit is truly alive. Dinan’s pretty, riverside settlement features a 13th-century rampart wall surrounding the old town. Walking the 1.6-mile perimeter wall, stepping over wildflowers to gaze out at the surrounding countryside, you will feel not just as though you are in a different time, but even in a different France. 

Rennes itself is a tranquil, medium-sized city with a thriving gastronomic scene. The local marketplace, Les Lices, has been selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese for hundreds of years. When you stop by the market be sure to try a ‘Breton Hotdog’ - a sausage wrapped in a pancake. Pancakes, or more specifically savory stuffed galettes and thin, sweet lemony crêpes, are a regional specialty. Like its unique landscape, Brittany’s cuisine is all of its own. Here, they will recommend you wash down your pancakes with a crisp, dry, glass of cider, rather than wine. It is this kind of local variation that pulls both the French and foreigners back to Brittany time and time again. Due to its distinguished heritage, vibrant landscapes, and close proximity to Paris, Rennes, and the Brittany area are an excellent addition to your French experience. 

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Rennes – What to Visit: 1 day itinerary (map included)

• March 6, 2023

Home > France > Rennes – What to Visit: 1 day itinerary (map included)

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I decided to visit Rennes after finding a cheap flight from Porto to there! So, I chose to visit Rennes, along with Nantes and Mont Saint-Michel in a 3-day getaway.

And what a pleasant surprise it was! Despite finding the city almost empty, Rennes was lovely 🥰.

Located in the Brittany region, Rennes is a student city (one of the largest in Europe) and was once considered one of the best cities to live in in France.

Rennes is a very photogenic city, largely due to its typical half-timbered houses. But the city holds other surprises. If you are planning a trip to Rennes, then keep reading this post to find out all the tips to visit Rennes: what to visit, when to visit, how many days are needed and much more.

What is the best time of the year to visit Rennes?

Being located in the Brittany region, you cannot expect fantastic weather in Rennes, especially in winter (it can even snow!). The warmest months are from June to September and the rainiest are November, December and January.

So, there is not necessarily an ideal time to visit Rennes as the weather is a bit uncertain. However, to increase the likelihood of good weather, I suggest visiting Rennes between June and September.

How many days do you need to visit Rennes?

Given the size of the city, one day is enough to visit Rennes . The main points of interest are located relatively close to each other, making it easy to visit.

Anyway, if you choose to stay 2 days in Rennes, on the second day you can take the opportunity to visit Mont Saint-Michel, which is an excellent day trip for those visiting Rennes.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you would like to know how to get to Mont Saint-Michel from Rennes and other tips for visiting what is one of the most emblematic places in France, I suggest reading my complete guide to visiting Mont Saint-Michel .

How to get to Rennes?

Rennes has an airport which, despite being quite small, has connections with some European countries such as:

• Portugal (Porto, Lisbon)
• United Kingdom (London)
• Netherlands (Amsterdam)
• Germany (Frankfurt)

The city of Rennes also has air connections with other French cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris and Toulouse.

How to get from Rennes airport to the city centre?

The simplest way to travel between Rennes airport and the city centre is by direct bus (C6), which is located nearby the airport’s exit.

This bus stops at Republique station (one of the most central stations) and the journey takes about 20 minutes. The bus has a frequency of about 20/30 minutes and tickets cost 1,5€ and can be bought directly from the driver.

💡 EXTRA TIP: I suggest checking the most up-to-date information on this site.

Accommodation in Rennes

I stayed for two nights in Rennes and was quite satisfied with the place I chose. It was a well-located apart hotel (less than 10 minutes walk from the main points of interest in the city) – Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre .

Although it was noticeable that the hotel was a bit old, it was very clean, spacious and comfortable. In addition, there was a kitchenette in the room, which was very useful for those who want to cook.

However, there are other options available in terms of accommodation in the city of Rennes:

What is the best way to visit Rennes?

Although it is possible to visit Rennes on foot, as its points of interest are relatively close by, it may sometimes be necessary to use some public transport to cover longer distances.

Rennes has a very modern and efficient metro system (I never waited more than 2–3 minutes for a metro, even at the weekend). Although it is possible to use a contactless card (like Revolut , for example) to travel, you can buy tickets from the machines available at the stations.

Each individual ticket costs 1.5€ and is valid for 1 hour. However, there are other options available, such as 10 trips for 14.5€. More information is available here .

💼 TRAVEL INSURANCE: Unexpected events happen anywhere in the world, so I always recommend getting travel insurance. I regularly use Heymondo , which offers some of the highest coverages on the market at very competitive prices. As well as covering medical expenses, Heymondo’s insurance also covers the loss or theft of luggage, electronic equipment and more. They also have a 24/7 customer service through their App. As A Ticket to Take Off reader, you get a 5% discount when purchasing Heymondo insurance . The purchase must be made using this link , and the price shown on the website already includes the discount.

What to visit in Rennes?

Before starting the list with the places to visit in Rennes, I’ll share a map with the main points of interest in the city to help you plan your trip:

» Streets in Rennes with half-timbered houses

This itinerary in Rennes starts with one of the most captivating parts of the city: its streets with half-timbered houses. In many of the streets of Rennes (as well as in other cities in the Brittany region), we find half-timbered houses from medieval times.

When strolling through the historic centre of Rennes, it will be impossible not to notice these beautiful buildings. There are almost 400 scattered throughout the city 🥰.

Although they were not all built in the same period, there is something common to all the buildings: the use of colour. As with the sculptures on the various façades, the colours were intended to represent the social status of their owners.

So, I suggest a visit to some of the streets where you can find half-timbered houses:

• Pont aux Foulons Street
• Saint Michel Street
• Saint Guillaume Street
• Saint Sauveur Street
• La Psalette Street
• Chapitre Street

Although all the streets are worth a visit, I highlight house number 3 on Saint Guillaume Street. It is here that we can find the oldest house in Rennes (known as Ti-Coz), built in the early 16th century.

» Lices Market and Square

Located on Lices Square (Place des Lices) , the Lices Market is the most emblematic in the city and has been held every Saturday morning since 1622. In fact, this is the second-largest market in France, with over 10.000 visitors every weekend.

But what is now a popular weekend spot for locals to buy Breton products was once a place where knightly feuds or executions took place in medieval times.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The Lices Market occurs every Saturday from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm. Outside this period, the atmosphere in the square is quite different as the market is closed.

» Porte Mordelaise (gate)

Another place you can visit in Rennes is one of the gates that used to serve as the entrance to the walled city – Porte Mordelaise. This was the main entrance to the city of Rennes and its name comes from the fact that this gate connected Rennes to the city of Mordelles.

Although the current structure is more recent, traces have been found that the current version of this gate was built on a foundation that dates back to the 3rd century.

Since 2018, there is a project that aims to develop the area around this gate and the city walls. The creation of the wall gardens will allow a new interpretation of the city’s history.

» St. Peter’s Cathedral

Crossing Mordelaise Gate, we immediately glimpse St. Peter’s Cathedral, with its two towers, almost 50 metres high. And believe me, the outside of the building doesn’t give a hint of its beautiful interior. This is really a must-visit place in Rennes!

The history of this cathedral is closely linked to the Dukes of Brittany, who were crowned here after entering the city through the Mordelaise Gate. Although the cathedral’s existence dates back to the 4th century, nothing remains of the original building.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: Entry to St, Peter’s Cathedral is free and it is open every day of the week.

» Town Hall Square (Place de la Mairie)

We head to one of the city’s main squares – Place de la Mairie . Here we find the Town Hall of Rennes and, in front of it, the Rennes Opera House.

Although the buildings were built almost a century apart, the way they were constructed makes it seem as if the two buildings fit together.

Although the best way to appreciate the beauty of the Opera House is by attending a concert, there are also some guided tours of this monument.

» Parliament of Brittany

Built in the 17th century, the Parliament of Brittany is one of the most important buildings in the city and one of the symbols in the history of the Brittany region.

While the building managed to survive the blazing fire that destroyed several parts of the city in 1720, it didn’t escape a fire in 1994. Today, it is possible to visit its interior through guided tours that show us some of the works of art inside😊.

» St. George’s Palace (Palais Saint-Georges)

We head towards the Palais Saint-Georges, another historic building in Rennes. Built in 1670, it was once an abbey. Today it is considered a historic monument in France and it’s currently used in administrative services.

The garden outside is quite nice, although small. But it is certainly worth a visit!

» Vilaine river promenade and Museum of Fine Arts

It’s time to continue our visit to the banks of the river Vilaine – the river that runs through Rennes. After a short stroll along its banks (it’s a nice area, even though not that big of a deal!), I suggest another stop – Museum of Fine Arts.

Opened at the end of the 18th century, in the Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes we can find works by well-known painters such as Véronèse, Rubens and Picasso.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: Entrance to the permanent exhibitions at the Fine Arts Museum is free of charge. The Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Friday and until 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

» Thabor Park and Saint-Melaine Church

It’s time to end this Rennes’ itinerary and we will do it blissfully 😍. The first stop is the Saint-Melaine Church , which is located at the entrance of Thabor Park.

This church is dedicated to the one who is considered the first bishop of Rennes and it served as a cathedral in the 19th century as St Peter’s Cathedral had been destroyed.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The Church is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6.30 pm and from 2 pm to 6.30 pm on Sunday.

With over 150 years of history, Thabor Park is one of the highlights of a visit to Rennes. This park of over 10 hectares is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in France. This is the perfect place to end a visit to Rennes while watching the sunset.

In the garden, you will find French and English style gardens, a rose garden, a café and many other things.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The Garden is open from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm in summer and until 6.30 pm in winter.

Restaurants in Rennes

I had the opportunity to try a few restaurants in Rennes and I’ll share all the tips here:

• La Burger Attitude (€€): artisanal hamburger restaurant. The burgers were quite tasty and the menu had lots of options to choose from.
• L’Instant Crêperie (€€): We tried two savoury crêpes (one with salmon and another with tomato and goat cheese). Although I thought it was good, at some point I found it a bit cloying.
• Crêperie La Gavotte (€€): We didn’t get a chance to try the savoury crêpes, but the sweet ones were great. Especially the apple and salted caramel one!

Disclaimer : this post may contain some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something through my links. This doesn’t represent any additional cost to you and you’ll be supporting my work here on the blog😊

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I am Mariana from Porto, Portugal . I am truly passionate about traveling and all things travel related. And that’s exactly what led me to create this page: so I can inspire others to travel and help plan all those trips with my tips and itineraries.

Click here to find out more about me.

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Russia could begin full mobilisation after 2024 presidential election, Kyiv official says – as it happened

Secretary of Ukraine’s national security and defence council says Russia has increasingly put its economy onto war footing. This live blog is now closed

• Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 635
• 20 Nov 2023 Closing summary
• 20 Nov 2023 At least 11,000 Ukrainian children are reportedly being detained at 43 re-education camps across Russia, says MoD
• 20 Nov 2023 Russia may begin full mobilisation after 2024 presidential election, says senior security official
• 20 Nov 2023 Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch meets Zelenskiy in Kyiv
• 20 Nov 2023 Ukraine sacks two high-ranking cyber defence officials, says government official
• 20 Nov 2023 US defense secretary vows support to Ukraine 'for the long haul' on surprise trip to Kyiv
• 20 Nov 2023 Morning summary
• 20 Nov 2023 Two killed by Russian shelling in Kherson, Ukrainian authorities say
• 20 Nov 2023 US defence secretary visits Kyiv
• 20 Nov 2023 Opening summary

Nato supports Bosnia’s territorial integrity and is concerned by “malign foreign interference,” including by Russia , in the volatile Balkans region that went through a devastating war in the 1990s, Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg , has said.

Sarajevo is the first stop on Stoltenberg’s tour of western Balkan countries that will also include Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia, the Associated Press reports.

“The Allies strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina,” Stoltenberg told reporters. “We are concerned by the secessionist and divisive rhetoric as well as malign foreign interference, including Russia.”

There are widespread fears that Russia is trying to destabilise Bosnia and the rest of the region and shift at least some world attention from its war in Ukraine .

Morning summary

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a visit. “I’m here today to deliver an important message: the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future.”

Two people were killed early on Monday after Russian forces shelled a parking lot in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, authorities said. Regional prosecutors opened a war crimes investigation into the artillery strike, which occurred at about 9am (7am GMT) and injured one other person, the regional prosecutor’s office reported.

A Ukrainian soldier and a woman have died after a grenade exploded in a Kyiv apartment, police in the Ukrainian capital have said, but the cause of the blast, which injured a second man, was not immediately clear. Explosives technicians and investigators were working at the scene of Sunday’s explosion in the Dniprovskiy district, Kyiv police said in a statement.

The Ukrainian army said it had pushed back Russian forces “three to eight kilometres” from the banks of the Dnipro River, which if confirmed would be the first meaningful advance by Kyiv’s forces months into a disappointing counteroffensive . Ukrainian and Russian forces have been entrenched on opposite sides of the vast waterway in the southern Kherson region for more than a year, after Russia withdrew its troops from the western bank last November.

A Ukrainian teenager who was taken to Russia from the occupied city of Mariupol during the war and prevented from leaving earlier this year has returned to Ukraine . Bohdan Yermokhin, who turned 18 on Sunday, appealed to Zelenskiy this month to help bring him back to Ukraine. “I believed I would be in Ukraine, but not on this day,” Yermokhin told Reuters while eating at a petrol station after crossing the border.

About 3,000 mostly Ukrainian trucks, including those carrying fuel and humanitarian aid, were stuck on the Polish side of the border on Sunday due to a more than 10-day blockade by Polish truckers, Ukrainian authorities said . Polish truckers earlier this month blocked roads to three border crossings with Ukraine to protest against what they see as government inaction over a loss of business to foreign competitors since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Air defence units in Moscow intercepted a drone targeting the city late Sunday, mayor Sergei Sobyanin said . Sobyanin, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said units in the Elektrostal district in the capital’s east had intercepted the drone. No casualties or damage were initially reported. Air defences had also thwarted a drone attack on the Russian capital overnight to Sunday, authorities said earlier.

Russia launched 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting Kyiv and the Cherkasy and Poltava regions overnight into Sunday, the Ukrainian military said, of which 15 were shot down . The overnight strikes on Kyiv were the second attack on the Ukrainian capital in 48 hours, said the city’s military administration spokesperson, Serhii Popko.

Five people including a three-year-old girl were injured in Russian artillery shelling of Kherson on Sunday morning, the Ukrainian interior minister, Ihor Klymenko , said . “All of them sustained shrapnel wounds. The child and the grandmother were walking in the yard. Enemy artillery hit them near the entrance,” Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

The pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin , who is in custody awaiting trial for inciting extremism, said he wanted to run for president even though he understood the March election would be a “sham” with the winner already clear . Girkin, who is also known by the alias Igor Strelkov, has repeatedly said Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless President Vladimir Putin’s military top brass fight the war in Ukraine more effectively. A former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who helped Russia to annex Crimea in 2014 and then to organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, Girkin said before his arrest that he and his supporters were entering politics.

The Kremlin, facing the prospect of a European Union ban on imports of Russian diamonds, said on Monday that EU sanctions tended to have a “boomerang effect” on those who applied them, Reuters reports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was commenting on a proposed EU ban on diamond imports from Russia as part of a new sanctions package against Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine .

Russia is the world’s biggest producer of rough diamonds by volume. Peskov told reporters such a move had been anticipated for a long time, but was likely to backfire.

“As a rule, it turns out that a boomerang effect is partially triggered: the interests of the Europeans themselves suffer. So far, we have been able to find ways to minimise the negative consequences of sanctions,” he said.

EU diplomatic sources said last week the proposal under discussion was to ban direct diamond imports from Russia from 1 January and from March to implement a traceability mechanism that would prevent imports of Russian gems processed in third countries.

The Kremlin said on Monday that president Vladimir Putin will set out Russia’s view of what it sees as the “deeply unstable world situation” when he addresses an upcoming virtual G20 summit.

Russian state TV presenter Pavel Zarubin said on his Telegram channel on Sunday that it would be the “first event in a long time” including both Putin and western leaders.

According to the state RIA news agency, the G20 virtual summit will be held on Wednesday.

The Kremlin said on Monday it regretted Finland’s decision to shut crossings on its border with Russia , saying it reflected Helsinki’s adoption of an anti-Russian stance, Reuters reports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov , speaking at a regular news briefing, also rejected Finland’s accusation that Russia is deliberately pushing illegal migrants towards the border and said that Russian border guards were following all instructions.

Finland, a member of the European Union and – from this year – also of the Nato military alliance, closed four crossings on its border with Russia on Saturday as Helsinki seeks to halt a flow of asylum seekers it says was instigated by Moscow.

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, arrives in Kyiv on Monday morning.

Two killed by Russian shelling in Kherson, Ukrainian authorities say

Reuters reports that two people were killed early on Monday after Russian forces shelled a parking lot in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, authorities said.

Regional prosecutors opened a war crimes investigation into the artillery strike, which occurred at about 9am (7am GMT) and injured one other person, the regional prosecutor’s office reported.

The Kherson governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said the two dead were drivers for a private transport business.

Images posted on Telegram showed firefighters dousing cars that had been blasted apart, one day after a separate strike on the city wounded five people, including a three-year-old girl.

Russian forces have regularly shelled Kherson from across the Dnipro River since the regional capital was reoccupied by Ukrainian troops last November.

Ukraine said last week it had secured a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro and that its troops were trying to push Russian forces further back.

US defence secretary visits Kyiv

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a visit, he said on the X social media platform, Reuters reports.

“I’m here today to deliver an important message: the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future.”

The visit comes amid increasing division over Ukraine aid in the US legislature. A joint Ukraine-US military industry conference in Washington is due to take place next month.

That event, due to be held on 6-7 December, is intended to boost Ukraine’s domestic arms production as its fight against a full-scale Russian invasion nears the two-year mark.

Reuters reports that a Japanese delegation led by senior industry and foreign ministry officials and including business representatives is visiting Ukraine on Monday for talks ahead of a reconstruction conference that Japan will host, the industry ministry said.

Japan, which has been supporting Ukraine with funds and by accepting refugees since Russia invaded in February 2022, has also been promoting support for Ukraine at the level of the G7, which Japan chairs this year.

Kazuchika Iwata , the state minister of economy, trade and industry (METI), and the state minister for foreign affairs Kiyoto Tsuji , are visiting together with representatives of Japan companies, METI said in a statement.

In Kyiv, the delegation, which includes members of Keidanren, Japan’s biggest business lobby, in charge of a committee on Ukraine’s reconstruction, plans talks with the prime minister, Denys Shmyhal , government officials and companies.

Shmyhal said this month Ukraine would need budget support of about $42bn this year and next year to plug a massive deficit and aid reconstruction from the devastation caused by Russia’s invasion.

METI said the visit was an opportunity to hear about Ukraine’s needs and to discuss specific projects and accelerate public and private efforts to help.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy – who visited Japan in May during a G7 summit – and the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, agreed this month to hold a Japan-Ukraine Conference for promotion of Economic Reconstruction in Tokyo on 19 February.

Opening summary

Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the war in Ukraine .

A Ukrainian soldier and a woman have died after a grenade exploded in a Kyiv apartment, police in the Ukrainian capital have said, but the cause of the blast, which injured a second man, was not immediately clear.

Explosives technicians and investigators were working at the scene of Sunday’s explosion in the Dniprovskiy district, Kyiv police said in a statement.

“A citizen contacted the police with a report that an explosion rang out in a neighbouring apartment,” they added.

The news came as Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the commander of the military’s medical forces , Maj Gen Tetiana Ostashchenko, and said “new priorities had been set” in the operations of Ukraine’s military after a meeting with the defence minister, Rustem Umerov.

“There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes,” the Ukrainian president said in his evening video address.

In other key developments:

Russia launched 20 Iranian-made Sha hed drones targeting Kyiv and the Cherkasy and Poltava regions overnight into Sunday, the Ukrainian military said, of which 15 were shot down . The overnight strikes on Kyiv were the second attack on the Ukrainian capital in 48 hours, said the city’s military administration spokesperson, Serhii Popko.

Five people including a three-year-old girl were injured in Russian artillery shelling of Kherson on Sunday morning, the Ukrainian interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said . “All of them sustained shrapnel wounds. The child and the grandmother were walking in the yard. Enemy artillery hit them near the entrance,” Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

The pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin, who is in custody awaiting trial for inciting extremism, said he wanted to run for president even though he understood the March election would be a “sham” with the winner already clear . Girkin, who is also known by the alias Igor Strelkov, has repeatedly said Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless President Vladimir Putin’s military top brass fight the war in Ukraine more effectively. A former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who helped Russia to annex Crimea in 2014 and then to organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, Girkin said before his arrest that he and his supporters were entering politics.

• Ukraine war live

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