Another major tourist attraction of Rennes is the Vilaine river, which crosses it from one side to the other and allows you to do activities whether on the waterfront or on the water. Rennes has the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in France after Toulouse and ahead of Montpellier, Bordeaux and Nantes. Another option is Saint-Malo; . All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Today it is one of the only remains of the ramparts of Rennes. Visit Rennes. And if you prefer contemporary art, go to the FRAC Bretagne (the regional fund of contemporary art in Brittany). The citys Michelinstarred eateries, whichinclude La Coquerie,Le Saison and Aubergedu Pont dAcign will also be sourcing theiringredients here. Places for dinner in Rennes for real gourmets! Eugne Quessot (18821949), interim mayor from 15 July 1947 until 26 October 1947; Jean Janvier (18591923), from 1908 to 1923; Edgar Le Bastard (18361891), from 1880 to 1891; Toussaint-Franois Rallier du Baty (16651734) from 1695 to 1734. Destroyed by a fire in 1994, and beautifully restored, it now houses the Appeal Court of Brittany and the Assizes Court of Ille-et-Vilaine. The answer is in the affirmative. It is at the confluence of two rivers: the Ille and the Vilaine. It was housing the parliament until the revolution of 1790, and then served as a court of law. Since the 500s, this has been the site of the citys cathedral. Rennes is also an important railway station for regional transport in Brittany. Each of the houses has its distinct frontals and some very beautiful and sometimes quirky details (searching for them can be fun). Most Famous Monuments and Landmarks In France, Most Beautiful Underrated Cities in France. To the pleasure of art lovers, the galleries range from the 1200s to the present day with a focus on the 1600s baroque. Find out about Brittanys 10 tourist destinations, the big cities, the islands, the unmissable, Cap Frhel - Saint-Malo - Mont Saint-Michel Bay, 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, Mtropole dart et dhistoire. Famed for its university and cultural dynamism, Rennes unites the heart and head and is ideal for a leisurely stroll through its cheerful and surprising streets. And even when it is crowded, you can still breathe, thanks to the malls design. The official website of Universit Rennes 2 identifies the facility as "the largest research and higher learning institution in Arts, Literature, Languages, Social Sciences and Humanities in the West of France.". Cycling is the most brilliant way to get the most of Rennes, to discover it beyond the tourist angles. On top of the arch is the coat of arms of the Dukes of Montfort. The city is home to the University of Rennes and a number of other cultural institutions. However, the one built in the 12th-century collapsed gradually between 1490 and 1754. At night, Rennes has no end of brisk spots to visit for a drink, while the range of chic restaurant selection is incredible. The difficult part may be identifying where and when to finish, with an exceptional range of choices for restaurants and stores. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France. It's a sausage wrapped in a buckwheat galette, maybe with onions,. Rennes has a massive student community of close to 70,000 people. From the foundations of Condate (1 B.C.) Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine basilica, viewed from the parc du Thabor. Saint-Aubin Church, built in the beginning of the 20th century, Location of a former 14th century hospital, Tower and transept from the 11th century Benedictine, Bell tower topped with a gilded Virgin Mary (19th century). Its the garden of the old residence of print maker Franois-Charles Oberthr and his wife, Marie Hamelin. Precipitation in Rennes is considerably less abundant than in the western parts of Brittany, reaching only half of the levels of, e.g., the city of Quimper, which makes rainfall in Rennes comparable to the levels of large parts of western Germany. Rennes is known as one of the most festive cities in France. Labeled a city of art and history, it has preserved an important medieval and classical heritage within its historic center, with over 90 buildings protected as historic monuments. And as in any historic center, you will of course find many cafs and restaurants to eat and drink. Is Rennes a city or town? Rennes is home to Stade Rennais Rugby, a women's rugby team who play in, This page was last edited on 23 June 2023, at 10:39. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip. Today you will still see compelling parts of the once imposing walls. Rennes played an important role in the Stamped Paper Revolt ( Revolt of the papier timbr) in 1675. Rennes is the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in Brittany. For shopping theres a fantastic bookshop, Librairie Le Failler, which does interesting editions. But having crpes is a must when you visit Brittany. Rennes' Fine Arts Museum 10. Portes mordelaises. La Roche-aux-Fes is the most famous and largest dolmen in Brittany, with a 19.5 meter passage, 6 meters wide and 4 meters high. Continue along the quays, admire the buildings and barges and stop at the confluence gardens (Jardins de la Confluence). Under Roman occupation the town became the centre of communications of the province of Armorica. Rennes has well-developed national road, rail and air links. La Vilaine Rennes Things to do around Rennes 11. Thrilling Clash: AC Ajaccio and Rennes Face Off in an Epic Ligue 1 It is a ravishingly set-out city with an expressive and majestic center and an astonishing medieval quarter that is a delight to be immersed in. It is situated at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers. Rennes | History, Geography, & Points of Interest | Britannica 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. 1920s Saint George Municipal Pool, with mosaics, Saint-Germain footbridge, 20th century wood and metal construction that links the plaza with mile Zola Quay, across the. The driverless Rennes Metro (VAL) is 9.4km (5.8mi) in length and has 15 stations, including one designed by architect Norman Foster (La Poterie station). Rennes, the capital of Brittany is a vibrant city, teeming with historical sites and marvellous museums. Jun. Mont-Saint-Michel | History, Geography, & Points of Interest The Parlement de Bretagne and city hall area, the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in France, Jardin botanique de l'Universit de Rennes, cole pour l'informatique et les nouvelles technologies, cole pour l'informatique et les techniques avances, Institut National des Sciences Appliques, cole nationale suprieure de chimie de Rennes, Championnat de France de rugby XV fminin, List of twin towns and sister cities in France, Communes of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, List of works of the two Folgot ateliers, "Rpertoire national des lus: les maires", The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, Comparateur de territoire Unit urbaine 2020 de Rennes (35701), Aire d'attraction des villes 2020 de Rennes (013), "Atlas Rgional - Effectis d'tudiants en 2012-2013", "Le palmars 2017 des villes o il fait bon vivre et travailler", "Dcret n 2014-177 du 18 fvrier 2014 portant dlimitation des cantons dans le dpartement d'Ille-et-Vilaine", Populations lgales 2019: 35 Ille-et-Vilaine, French pedophilia trial casts unsettling light on women sex offenders, "Normes et records 19611990: Rennes-St Jacques (35) altitude 36m", http://www.groupeleduff.com/en/contact/contact/contact.html, "Prsentation de l'cole - Skol Diwan Roazhon", L'tat de la langue bretonne dans l'enseignement en Ille-et-Vilaine (, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Rennes.maville.com Le projet de nouvelle ligne du mtro sur les rails, "Siemens Mobility delivers Line B of the Rennes metro", "Rennes 1h30 de Paris en 2014 France Toute l'actualit en France", "La Chalotais, Louis Ren de Caradeuc de", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rennes&oldid=1161536267, Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (relative humidity 19611990), Bourg Lvesque - La Touche - Moulin du Comte, Jeanne dArc - Longs Champs - Atlante Beaulieu. In total there are 286! The downstairs area is like being in someones house, with an open kitchen and lounge area. What does Rennes mean in English? Should Parc des Princes Become An Official Travel Attraction? Rennes is pretty small, so its hard to pick out a particular neighbourhood, but the area around Place Saint-Germain, just next to Saint-Germain church, is great. Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. In Brittany, two regional languages are spoken: Breton and Gallo. Choose the rental option and go for an adventure! What is rennes famous for? - Answers If you plan to visit Rennes with your children, I recommend the following activities: If its unfortunately raining during your stay in Rennes, here are a few visits you can do while the weather improves: The Rennes Citypass is only available in summer (from the end of June to the end of August), so the activities and visits included change every year. Pierre Restaurant de Copains, run by a friend who was a finalist in Top Chef [the French version of MasterChef], is a lively, trendy place to hang out. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest numbers of such architecture in the country, along with Rouen and Strasbourg. The Mordelaises Gates (Portes Mordelaises) was the main entrance to the city from the 15th century onwards. There are two main parks in Rennes,both created by the landscape architectDenis Bhler. The Mercure Hotel is located in a restored building on Rue du Pr-Bott, which is the former office of Ouest-clair, and then of Ouest-France, France's leading daily regional newspaper. So, what to do in Rennes? Oberthr Park is the second biggest garden in the city. A notable spot is La Mre Poulard, located close to the main entrance as you enter through the King's Gate. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The capital of Brittany is a great city to live in forquality of life, but Rennesis a top tourist destination too. The farmhouse dates to the 16th-century, and it showcases set arranged across the three floors. The Town Hall also houses its own little Pantheon, a room adorned with marble slabs engraved with the names of all the Rennais (inhabitants of Rennes) who died while fighting for France. Parc du Thabor contains a compact but significant botanical garden, the Jardin botanique du Thabor. 25 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Brittany From green parks, resplendent and diverse architecture, brilliant infrastructure- while retaining an incredible medieval city center- Rennes is richly endowed. Additionally, Rennes is a popular tourist destination, with its many historical sights and sites. Go to the the mill of Bol (Moulin de Bol) which offers one of the most beautiful panoramas on the river. What Famous Food Do They Have in La Bretagne? - ArthurHenrys The surrounding plaza is built in the classical style. If you are interested in shopping, you should start here. Is the city of Rennes really the best place to live in France? You cand find all the information about the temporary exhibitions, entrnce fees and timetables on the Champs Libres official website. There are also miscellaneous cultural venues, including the dance-dedicated Triange and two "Art et Essai" (arthouse) cinemas, l'Arvor and Cine TNB. The result is a very aesthetic concave shaped building. Do you want to fly? Bar Le Doujezu is a renowned hangout in Rennes. Industrial activity is diversified and includes automotive assembly, food processing, printing, and the manufacture of automotive components and electronics. Its not just locals youll nd pickingtheir way through the freshest produceat the second largest market in France ona Saturday morning. Rennes has also local radio stations (Hit West, Radio Campus, Canal B, Radio Caroline, Radio Rennes, Radio Laser) and local newspapers and magazines (Ouest-France, Le Mensuel de Rennes, Place Publique, 20 Minutes Rennes). Rennes (French pronunciation:[n] (listen); Breton: Roazhon [rwn]; Gallo: Resnn; Latin: Condate Redonum) is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France at the confluence of the Ille and the Vilaine. Together with Vannes and Nantes, it was one of the major cities of the ancient Duchy of Brittany. A number of airlines propose scheduled and low-cost flights. What is one of the last theaters in french style architecture. It is also the meeting place for fishermen. It seems that the people of Rennes have found a magic potion! Chapter 6 Culture Flashcards | Quizlet Les Champs Libres is a huge cultural space built in an old railway station. This is a large park situated right in the corner of the city. It is a beautiful, historic city with plenty to see and do. Two locations for Oberthr Printing Works were built by Marthenot between 1870 and 1895 on Rue de Paris in the eastern part of the city. Now, it bears the city library, museums, and temporary exhibits (the most popular are lEspace des sciences- science museum and le muse de Bretagne). Youre traveling in France? Who Is Rennes Coach | TechForkClub The street crossing this gate comes from the Place des Lices and ends at the cathedral. After a break in a lounge bar or pub, try a restaurant highlighting local produce. If you do not want to miss a workout while vising Rennes, you Parc des Gayelles is a solid option. The Muse de Bretagne is really interesting a journey through the history of Brittany and its people and has some works many will recognise, including sketches by greats such as Picasso and Gauguin. Rennes has about 20 markets- a whopping number for a mid-sized city. As a result of its size, Parc des Gayeulles is home to rugby and football pitches, a working farm, and an ice rink. Rennes was one of the first French cities to receive French Tech accreditation, in November 2014. The TER Bretagne provides links to Saint-Malo, Nantes, Redon, Vitr, Saint-Brieuc, Vannes, Laval, Brest and many other regional cities. How do you pronounce Rennes? Off the Beaten Path: a Road Trip Through Charming Inland Normandy. Local chefs harmonise gastronomic traditions with new trends by s. > more informations The finest brasseries in Rennes Published on August 12, 2021 The interior has beaming frescoes that appear to cover all the inches of the church, including the cylindrical vault in the nave. Required fields are marked *. The weather will be good and you will avoid the high tourism season in summer! Ajaccio, known for their solid defense and tactical discipline, will aim to frustrate Rennes' attacking ambitions. If you have lined up a picnic for the weekend or staying at a holiday rental, you should shop for fresh ingredients at March des Lices. 17th century promenade "la Motte Madame", and a monumental stairway overlooking the Rue de Paris entrance to the Thabor. . A leading light of the modern music scene, every winter for the last 30 years, the Transmusicales in Rennes, has given us a taste of the musical trends of tomorrow. Gastronomy - Tourist Office Its a sausage wrapped in a buckwheat galette, maybe with onions, but strictly no sauce (if youre Breton). What is Rennes Known For? - France Travel Blog The famous Brocliande forest, cradle of many legends and notably the one of King Arthur, Merlin the Enchanter and the knight Lancelot, is located at a little less than 45 minutes from Rennes. Muz Yer, a permanent public exhibition in Rennes, France, has invited 8 internationally-renowned architects to design birdhouses that highlight the relationship between contemporary architecture . From the airport, take the bus to the city centre in 20 minutes. Designed as a citadel, Saint-Malo boasts well-preserved medieval fortifications that lend a distinctive character to the city. The most famous is Le Nouveau-n, by 17th-century artist Georges de la Tour. Isidore Odorico(1893-1945) worked on various city centredecorations, including the Saint-Georgesswimming baths, post ofce, coveredmarket, churches, business premises andprivate residences. In the Old Town of Rennes, the timbered houses indeed are not the only object of interest. You should know that with the guided tour alone, you can book at the Tourism Office. It is a hundred acres of woodland and green fields. There are some specialties like a breathtaking variety of seafood; oysters traditionally farmed in Cancale andKouign Amann,the typical Breton pastry. For the sportier ones, the park also offers a 1.5 km long running track, so there is no excuse to do skip sport during the holidays . The Fine Arts Museum is situated on Quai mile Zola, by the Vilaine River. As you will see, the archaeological collections are much older and were grown from a core of items collected by Christophe-Paul de Robien in the 18th-century. Dating from the 1300s, the Chapelle Saint Yves, which used to be a Catholic chapel, was restored and adapted to house Rennes Office of Tourism in 1981. Since nearly 4 centuries, its an important event in the life of the city for Rennais and tourists alike. Around the two royal squares Parliament Square and Town Hall Square half-timbered houses and Renaissance hotels line up. There, you will be able to discover nearly 5000 contemporary works. This Green Belt is a protected area between the city proper (rather dense) and the rest of its urban area (rather rural). L'opera de Rennes is one of the last theaters in what style. The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg on 24 January 2008. Join in with some local festivities:the free summer son-et-lumireon theParlement de Bretagne, the sprawlingBraderie du Canal Saint-Martin street saleand the citys annual Festival Gourmand inautumn. In 2008, 2.87% of primary school children were enrolled in bilingual primary schools, and the number of pupils enrolled in these schools is steadily growing.[19]. 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. Parc Oberthr measures over 3 hectares, so it is staggering to think that it remained private until late 1960. (modern). Its also in the historic district that most of Rennes must-see monuments are located. The railway and most of the modern districts are on the south side of the Vilaine. This summer in Rennes, the city pass will feature a guided tour, a boat trip on the Vilaine river and free entrances to museums. There are 22 TGV, inOui and OuiGo trains from Paris each day. It is renowned for its cobbled alleys, half-timbered houses and especially its beautiful medieval castle. Parlement de Bretagnesits within a royal square and is decoratedinside in C17 Parisian style. In the museums collection, there are over 300,000 objects with a whopping size of assorted coins that are close to 35,000. My restaurant, Coquille, is on rue Nantaise, which has become a little gastronomic hub close to the city centre. Steve The Techy . It is 31km (18.5mi) long, has 2 lanes each way (sometimes 3 lanes) and is toll-free. Vitr is another medieval town, also located 40 minutes drive from Rennes. Mont-Saint-Michel We collect information from our users this is for administration and contact purposes in connection with contributions you may wish to make to the site or your use of certain site features such as newsletter subscriptions and property enquiries. The gate used to be the main entryway into Rennes and was where ceremonial procession starts. The 17th-century Parliament of Brittany building (Parlement de Bretagne in Breton) is one of the most famous buildings to visit in Rennes. From the early sixteenth century until the French Revolution, Rennes was a parliamentary, administrative and garrison city of the historic province of Brittany in the Kingdom of France, as evidenced by its 17th century Parliament's Palace. The citys sovereign court of justice wasbuilt between 1618 and 1655 to record royaledicts and letters. Rennes, city, capital of Ille-et-Vilaine dpartement, Brittany rgion, western France. Omissions? Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany and is a true reflection of French splendor while it beams with its own distinct regional character. You may not know it, but Rennes is one of the cities in France that have the biggest number of half-timbered houses. The visit allows you to admire the most famous room of the Parliament, the GrandChambre, with its unique sculpted gilded wood panelling and painted canvases. Now, the table appears to be turning quite rapidly. The old town is a charming warren of medieval streets and half-timbered houses. In any country, markets have always been cultural and a purveyor of genuine experience in any country. The few surviving buildings from before the fire, on the northern side of the Vilaine, include the imposing Palais de Justice, which was the House of Parliament of Brittany from 1618 to 1655. It has an attractive little square and good places to eat and shop; a new Metro line opening later this year will have a stop here. Its Grand Chambre, where the Parliament sat, was a magnificent hall with fine decorations, but the building was heavily damaged by fire in 1994. Rennes also has the only Institut Franco-Amricain in France. The best time to visit Saint Malo is for me at the beginning of June. Parc du Thabor is a marvel. The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, including the location and cost of living in Rennes. From the early sixteenth century until the French Revolution, Rennes was a parliamentary, administrative and garrison city of the historic province of Brittany in the Kingdom of France, as evidenced by its 17th century Parliament's Palace. Rennes, Brittany's captivating capital city - The Good Life France Around the cathedral, however, is a network of streets where half-timbered houses survived the raze. And across the river, interesting stores on rue Vasselot include Wakatp, which only sells ethical goods organic cotton and other sustainable clothing, and vegan shoes. Lookout for petit gris melons, Reinette apples and Coucou de Reine chicken. Majestic faades, concert halls, trendy restaurants and designer boutiques all captivate the visitor. Colourful traditional half-timbered houses are situated primarily along the roads of Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Georges, de Saint-Malo, Saint-Guillaume, des Dames, du Chapitre, Vasselot, Saint-Michel, de la Psallette and around the plazas of Champ-Jacquet, des Lices, Saint-Anne and Rallier-du-Baty. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive exclusive information and make the most of your stay in Brittany. The main cycling route is 45 kilometers long and starts from the mail Franois Mitterand. Mont-Saint-Michel, Basse-Normandie rgion, France. The reason for all this splendour is that St. Peter Cathedral of Rennes was the crowning place of the dukes and duchesses of Brittany. List of activities: storytelling for children, music, theatre and gastronomy with a dedicated tent where 50 chefs are invited to showcase their cuisine. I will start with the top 15 things to do and see in Rennes and around, and then give you my tips and itineraries to visit Rennes in 1, 2 or 3 days.
