6 must-do activities in Rennes

The city of Rennes is the prefecture of Brittany. It is renowned for its typical architecture, with colourful medieval houses and cobbled streets that take you back in time, its magnificent cathedral and, of course, its gardens, including the famous Parc du Thabor. Rennes is a city that appeals to all generations, because there’s something for everyone, as well as for sports enthusiasts and those who just want to laze around…

In short, whether you plan to visit Rennes during your stay in Brittany with family or friends, or decide to spend a whole weekend there, you’ll never be bored in this beautiful city.

Take a look at our short guide, specially designed to help you plan your next holiday with family or friends in the magnificent city of Rennes.

1 – The historic centre

You can’t help but marvel at Rennes’ historic centre when you see the magnificent medieval timber-framed houses with their brightly coloured facades. Half-timbered houses are the trademark of the city of Rennes, and in fact it is the city where you see the most of them.

The Jacobins Convent

Built in the 14th century, this convent was converted into a conference centre in the 21st century. It now houses the tourist office, as well as a contemporary art exhibition every other year (the Pinault collection), concerts and fairs on a variety of themes open to the public.

The Place du Champ-Jacquet

A rather unusual place: the half-timbered houses on this square are not really straight, but this wobbly appearance is not a cause for concern, as the houses rest on the medieval ramparts behind them. But you have to admit, it’s quite unusual!

Saint-Pierre Cathedral

There’s not much left of the 12th-century Gothic cathedral (apart from an arcade at the back of the façade), and nothing left of the 6th-century cathedral. The current classical style dates from the 17th century: 44 granite columns covered in stucco imitating marble, to which was added in the 19th century a more ostentatious style desired by the Bishop of Rennes, who found it too austere.

Marble stucco, gold, ultra-montain style, treasure room and altarpiece from the late Middle Ages surprise and delight tourists. The 2 50 m high towers can be seen in the distance.

The cathedral is closely linked to the history of the Dukes of Brittany.

Place des Lices

Once the site of knights’ tournaments, it is now surrounded by superb town houses and 2 19th-century metal covered market halls. The market has been held here since the 17th century and is one of the largest in France. You’ll have the pleasure of tasting the famous “galette saucisse” in a friendly atmosphere, every Saturday from early morning.

The Palais du Parlement de Bretagne

This highly symbolic building in Brittany was built in the 16th century after Brittany became part of the Kingdom of France. The Court of Appeal has sat in this building since 1804, and the palace is adorned with magnificent 17th-century paintings.

The Porte Mordelaise or Royal Gate

This 15th-century fortification, consisting of two machicolated towers and a double drawbridge, was once the main entrance to Rennes.

2 – Parks and gardens

Le Thabor park and gardens

Nicknamed the Prince of Gardens, this park, classified as a “prestige garden”, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in France. Within its 10 hectares, you’ll discover: a formal garden as well as an English park, a botanical garden, an aviary, a bandstand, the orangery featuring photo exhibitions, a children’s playground, a rose garden, a grotto, ….

If you visit this park, you absolutely must visit the waterfalls known as “les Catherinettes”. In summer, the Parc du Thabor is the venue for many festivities.

Parc des Tanneurs

This small park of 1 hectare features magnificent specimen redwood trees, a calm and restful place, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Parc Oberthür

Fans of botany will never tire of admiring the wide variety of species that crowd into this park: cedars, laciniated beeches, pedunculate oaks, silver lime trees, Gingko Biloba… And rarer species: California torreya, Pennsylvania maple, yellow pavier, cork oak, willow oak… The pond and its wildlife complete this pretty picture.

The Parc des Gayeulles for the adventurous

This leisure, open-air and sports centre covers around a hundred hectares and offers a wide range of activities: races, body-building equipment, multi-sports fields, a fun pool, an ice rink, mini-golf, a tree climbing course, a skateboard ramp… But there are also children’s games, allotments, a wildlife park, pedalos… Enough to keep you entertained for a whole day.

The garden of the Palais Saint-Georges

and its formal gardens.

3 – Museums

The Musée des Beaux-Arts

This museum exhibits paintings, sculptures, Egyptian, Greek and mainly Celtic antiquities, objets d’art from all over the world, and drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Dürer and Rembrandt. Contemporary art, impressionist canvases and twentieth-century artistic movements are also well represented in this museum.

Les Champs Libres

This area brings together :

• The Musée de Bretagne,
• The Espace des Sciences and its planetarium,
• La Bibliothèque de la Métropole.

Rennes Country Ecomuseum

This museum includes

A permanent exhibition

• A museum that helps you to understand the region and local cultures and traditions.
• The history of the Bintinais
• Livestock buildings

An agro-pastoral park

• The ecomuseum’s livestock
• Crops
• Conservatory orchards
• Database of apple varieties
• The Bintinais vegetable garden

Temporary exhibitions

4 – Gastronomy in Rennes

A host of guinguettes offer local gastronomy on the banks of the Vilaine, in parks and on farms… Shows and concerts are given in a friendly atmosphere: the MeM, Origines (in the heart of the Hôtel-Dieu), Au Parc des Bois, or Quincé l’été are just a few examples, and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

5 – Nightlife

Rennes is a student city, and the nights are festive. There are plenty of night bars, nightclubs and pubs, as well as many festivals and a very active music scene.

6 – Sports

Themed walking trails, urban bike rides, véloroute, paddle, canoe and kayak hire, the spadium, escapes-games for children…