ChillTripCity guide — France
Rennes travel guide · Europe
Rennes is the vibrant capital of Brittany in northwest France, blending grand 18th-century stone architecture with a lively student culture. Though much of its medieval past was lost to a great fire in 1720, the city retains charming half-timbered streets near its cathedral and boasts world-class museums. With a buzzing bar scene, rich Breton heritage, and excellent transport links, Rennes makes an ideal base for exploring the region.
Rennes has an Atlantic climate with rain possible year-round, but late spring through early autumn offers the mildest and driest conditions for exploring the city and surrounding Brittany.
ChillTripLarge museum of Breton culture housed in a futuristic building since 2006, also featuring material from the infamous Dreyfus trial held in Rennes in 1899.
Address10 Cr des Alliés, 35000 Rennes, France
4.6/5 on Google
ChillTripNeo-classical cathedral built over centuries from the 12th century, finally completed in 1845 after its predecessor began collapsing, and renovated between 2009 and 2015.
AddressRue de la Monnaie, 35000 Rennes, France
4.5/5 on Google
ChillTripGrand historic building housing the regional Court of Appeal since 1804, formerly Brittany's parliament. Badly damaged by fire in 1994 during demonstrations but fully restored.
AddressPl. du Parlement de Bretagne, 35000 Rennes, France
4.3/5 on Google
ChillTripExtensive fine arts museum established in 1794, renowned for its 17th-century paintings and works of the Pont-Aven school led by Gauguin.
Address20 Quai Emile Zola, 35000 Rennes, France
4.5/5 on Google
ChillTripLarge public park in the northeast of the city, originally a monastery orchard, featuring a formal French garden, an English-style landscape garden, and an extensive rose garden.
AddressPl. Saint-Mélaine, 35000 Rennes, France
4.7/5 on Google
ChillTripRennes' main city market held every Saturday since 1622 on Place des Lices, spreading across several streets and halls with fresh local produce.
Address16 Pl. des Lices, 35000 Rennes, France
4.8/5 on Google
ChillTripLarge fresh-food market hall open most of the week with seating areas inside, and a monthly street food market on the first Sunday featuring stalls from local restaurants.
AddressRue Jules Simon, 35000 Rennes, France
4.4/5 on Google
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Brittany's national theatre presenting a diverse programme of contemporary and classical performances, located 500 metres north of the railway station.
Rennes' opera house on Place de la Mairie, staging opera and classical music performances in a historic setting next to the Parliament building.
Public ice rink offering skating sessions, sport skating, lessons and skate hire for all ages.
Home stadium of Stade Rennais FC with a capacity of 29,778, hosting Ligue 1 matches and European tournament games 4 km west of the city centre.
Annual November music festival celebrating Breton folk music, named after the rock group that reinvigorated the genre in the 1980s.
Concert hall and event space on the western edge of the city hosting live music and cultural events in a converted industrial setting.
Large music venue near Place du Colombier with three stages, hosting live music and club nights until the early hours.
Wonderful walled coastal town on the English Channel with ferries to the Channel Islands, easily reached in an hour by train.
Iconic fortified island abbey 70 km northeast of Rennes, one of France's most visited landmarks, reachable by bus excursion from Rennes.
Former capital of Brittany and major Atlantic port city, now a vibrant cultural hub with excellent museums and a lively arts scene.
Well-preserved medieval town with a striking castle, easily accessible from Rennes by regional bus or train.
Charming medieval walled town in Brittany with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and a picturesque port on the Rance river.
Historic Breton town famous for its impressive medieval castle, one of the largest in Europe.
Beautiful medieval city on the Gulf of Morbihan in southern Brittany, a gateway to the islands and megalithic sites of Carnac.
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