Rennes

Travel Guide

Rennes Cathedral showing heritage elements, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Michel Angot
Rennes featuring heritage elements, street scenes and heritage architecture
Rennes which includes heritage elements
Rennes which includes street scenes and cafe scenes as well as a large group of people
Markets, museums, historical buildings and an interactive science center draw travelers to the center of this city in the serene Brittany countryside.

Rennes is the capital of the Brittany region in northwestern France. A large, spacious plaza in its center is surrounded by structures of great historical significance. Visit the many museums of art and history scattered around the city alongside parks, gardens and university buildings. The city hosts several annual music and film festivals.

Locate the Place des Lices in the town center. Due to its accessible and practical location, it is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers. Browse the market in the central square, which leads to Place Rallier-du-Baty. Majestic townhouses surround the plaza.

The Rennes Cathedral, which dates back to the sixth century, has a neoclassical design with two towers full of window displays and elegant decorations. Walk around the interior and gaze up at the elegant arched ceiling and columns on either side of the nave. It is also known as Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Rennes. 

Make your way to the 17th-century wonder, the Palais du Parlement de Bretagne, the last building to house Brittany’s old parliament. It now serves as the Courts of Appeal for the city of Rennes. The building’s grand design features a gray lower story, a white second floor and a roof decorated with gold spikes and statues.

Browse the vast archeological collection at the Musée de Bretagne from prehistoric to modern times. Discover the story of Alfred Dreyfus, a former army captain who was wrongly accused of a crime.

The museum shares a building with a grand library and the Espace des Sciences, a center that brings science to life with interactive exhibitions. Take the kids to Merlin’s Laboratory, where they can do their own experiments. 

Uncover the fascinating history of Rennes before enjoying the picturesque Brittany countryside.

Where to stay in Rennes

Place des Lices featuring a house

Rennes Centre

4.5/5(35 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Parliament of Brittany and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Rennes Centre. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Republique Station or Saint-Germain Station.

Rennes Centre
Capital of the Ille-et-Vilaine department and of the region of Brittany, Rennes is located 55km south of the English Channel.
An authentic student town, Rennes has maintained a significant medieval and classical heritage. In the historic centre, the Portes Mordelaises – a castle entrance gate which formed part of the town’s old fortifications – loom large. Among the 90 buildings classified as “historic monuments”, tourists can admire the Duchesne Tower, the Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine church, the Place du Parlement-de-Bretagne, and the numerous impressive facades of buildings in the Old Town.
#France #Rennes #Travel

Dinan - Saint-Malo

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Dinan - Saint-Malo and surrounding area, you can visit Le Couvent des Jacobins and Place des Lices.

Dinan - Saint-Malo

Saint-Hélier

4/5(10 area reviews)

You might enjoy the restaurants on your visit to Saint-Hélier. Visitors recommend a visit to Place de la Gare, and you can get around town on the metro at Gares Station.

Saint-Hélier
Thabor Botanic Gardens which includes flowers and a garden

Thabor - Saint-Hélier

Visitors to Thabor - Saint-Hélier like its bars and parks, and Thabor Botanic Gardens is a sight worth a stop.

Thabor - Saint-Hélier

Sud-Gare

3/5(3 area reviews)

While you're strolling through Sud-Gare, you may want to check out the restaurants and historic sites. If you want to see more of the area, hop on the metro at Clemenceau Station or Jacques Cartier Station.

Sud-Gare

Quartier Bourg-l'Évesque - la Touche - Moulin du Comte

4/5(1 area review)

While in Quartier Bourg-l'Évesque - la Touche - Moulin du Comte, you'll enjoy the restaurants. Catch the metro at Anatole France Metro Station to see top sights like Roazhon Park while you're in the area.

Quartier Bourg-l'Évesque - la Touche - Moulin du Comte
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
3 out of 5
28 Avenue Jean Janvier, Rennes
The price is ¥9,585 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
¥9,585
¥10,996 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (649 reviews)
Très bien
"Très bon séjour, non accueil équipe formidable. Merci"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
Mama Shelter Rennes
Mama Shelter Rennes
4 out of 5
3 Place de la Trinite, Rennes, FRANCE
The price is ¥19,904 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
¥19,904
¥22,572 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (306 reviews)
"It was a good choice for Rennes"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Mama Shelter Rennes
Hôtel Lanjuinais
Hôtel Lanjuinais
2 out of 5
11, RUE LANJUINAIS, Rennes
Stay at this hotel in Rennes. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (374 reviews)
"Had a lovely 4 night stay at Hotel Lanjuinais. Friendly welcome, relaxed atmosphere and perfect location."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Hôtel Lanjuinais
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Appart'City Classic Rennes Ouest
Appart'City Classic Rennes Ouest
2 out of 5
7 rue Pierre Joseph Colin, Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
Book a stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Roazhon Park and ...
7.8/10 Good! (378 reviews)
"We booked our son in this accommodation as he was waiting for student accommodation, The price was expensive for what we got for 16 days, but all in all a good stay"

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2024

Appart'City Classic Rennes Ouest
Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
3 out of 5
2, rue Lorgeril, Rennes
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Palais du Parlement de Bretagne and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (459 reviews)
"Un hotel que supero mis espectativas."

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025

Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
2 out of 5
35 rue d'Antrain, Rennes
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Le Couvent des ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (613 reviews)
"Staff was amazing!!! The rooms were spacious and clean"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Rennes

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
14
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
15
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Old city interesting for one day but part of a very large metropolis

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lovely town, could easily see myself living there

4/5 - Good

Catherine

Nice central location, went to Beaches of Normandy, Mont St Michel, Granite Rose Beach, Chateau des Suscinio, all were excellent

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

They have an amazing market on Saturdays. Cute town and great location to visit nearby places, such as St. Malo and Mt Saint Michel

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

After five nights in Paris, we took the TGV inOUI to Rennes. We booked a tour of Mont Saint Michel and were picked up and dropped off at the hotel. Then the TGV returned us directly to Paris - Charles de Gaulle airport the next day. Easy side-trip!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We wished we would have spent more time there but had previously made plans to move on.

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