guide
What is there to do in Rennes for a day or a weekend? The Breton capital surprises with its medieval centre of half-timbered houses, its Parlement de Bretagne, its parks and a student life that keeps the town busy all year round. It also has a rare asset: its major museums are free for their permanent collections.
Here are our visit ideas, the highlights not to miss and the tips for discovering Rennes without spending much, before heading to the Emerald Coast or the Mont-Saint-Michel bay.
| Information | In brief |
|---|---|
| Must-see | Historic centre, Parlement de Bretagne, Thabor park, Champs Libres |
| Free | Permanent collections of the musée de Bretagne, the musée des Beaux-Arts and the Écomusée |
| Not to miss | The Lices market, every Saturday morning |
| Highlight | Les Trans Musicales, early December |
| Getting around | On foot in the centre, metro (lines a and b) and bus |
| Suggested duration | One day, two with the museums |
Ravaged by a major fire in 1720, Rennes kept a remarkable medieval heart north of the Vilaine. The finest half-timbered houses, colourful and sometimes leaning, stand around place Sainte-Anne, rue du Chapitre, rue Saint-Georges and place du Champ-Jacquet. The Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the Mordelaises gates, remnants of the old ramparts, complete the walk.
In the evening, rue Saint-Michel, nicknamed “rue de la Soif”, and place Sainte-Anne gather bars and creperies: the atmosphere is very student-oriented, especially at weekends.
Seat of the parlement of the Province of Brittany under the Ancien Régime, this 17th-century palace now houses the Rennes court of appeal. Its reception rooms, and above all the Grand’Chambre with its gilded ceilings, can be seen on a guided tour organised by the tourist office, from a few euros. Entry is free during the European Heritage Days, in September. Hit by a fire in 1994, the building has been fully restored.
It is one of the best tips in town: the permanent collections of several major museums are free.
On the first Sunday of the month, several municipal museums also open their temporary exhibitions for free. At the Champs Libres, the Espace des sciences and its planetarium are charged, but at a low price.
Every Saturday morning, place des Lices hosts one of the largest markets in France. Breton producers, fishmongers, cheesemakers and market gardeners set up on the square and in the Martenot halls. It is the ideal place to taste a galette-saucisse, a Rennes speciality, and stock up on local produce for a picnic.
The Thabor park, a former abbey garden, is one of France’s most beautiful public gardens: rose garden, botanical garden, aviary and wide avenues, free to access. For a longer walk, the banks of the Vilaine and the Ille-et-Rance canal can be explored on foot or by bike, and the Parc des Gayeulles offers ponds and play areas for families.
Rennes is easy to visit without ruining yourself: the historic centre and parks are free to access, the museums are free, and the Lices market is good for a quick lunch. The STAR network (metro and bus) offers single tickets and economical day passes, and the centre is walkable. Creperies and galettes remain the most affordable option for a meal.
In early December, the Trans Musicales make Rennes one of Europe’s capitals of contemporary music. In spring and summer, the city multiplies concerts and outdoor events, and the European Heritage Days, in September, open the doors of the Parlement de Bretagne and other usually closed sites.
Rennes pairs ideally with the coast: Saint-Malo, Dinard and the Mont-Saint-Michel bay are less than an hour and a quarter’s drive away. Our selection lists 9 verified campsites in Ille-et-Vilaine, several of them around Saint-Malo and the bay, ideal for alternating days in town with days by the sea. To extend the trip, also discover our ideas for visiting Finistère.
Rennes deserves far more than a stop on the way to the sea. Its medieval centre, its free museums and its Saturday market make it an ideal destination for an inexpensive day. Come on a Saturday for the Lices market, book the Parlement on a guided tour, and keep the afternoon for the Thabor.
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