Rue de Penhoët

This Old Rennes street was named “rue de la Fracasserie”! It means “smashers’ street”. In these days, people working in the same field were often grouped together. This street was that of of blacksmiths and locksmiths, who made a terrible racket all day long! The part of the street leading to Place Saint-Michel was known as Rue de la Poulaillerie in reference to its poultry market. I’m unsure about which is worse in terms of noise! It was also known for its theater, but most of all, famous for its many brothels. “Rue de la Poulaillerie” therefore had a double-meaning, known to all. If you don’t get it, you must know that in french one can refer to a woman as a chick, just as in english…  The name was changed thanks to a petition aiming to erase this somewhat scandalous past! Let’s get back to business : “rue de Penhoet” is actually what brought us here. Look at no. 10, on your right. It is the narrowest house in Rennes. Spared by the 1720 fire, it is only 2 meters wide ! Not an easy house to furnish but it definety has a style of its own.