Rennes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Rennes Cathedral showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Michel Angot
Rennes which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Rennes showing heritage elements
Rennes which includes café scenes and street scenes as well as a large group of people

The capital of the festive region and boasting remarkable architecture, Rennes is the perfect destination for a cultural break. On the agenda? A bit of history, a relaxing park and an electrifying science centre!

Sometimes dreamy, sometimes rebellious, this modern university city offers a jump back in time! First stop, Rennes Old Town. Here, the charming streets lined with half-timbered houses give the city a mediaeval atmosphere that's a bit different. Follow rue du Guesclin to St Saviour's Basilica, before discovering the sculpted figures on rue de la Psalette and the remarkable Rennes Cathedral, where the Dukes of Brittany were once crowned. Getting peckish on the way? Stop off in rue du Chapitre, which is packed with restaurants, to tantalise your taste buds with a delicious galette bretonne. If you come at the weekend, visit Place des Lices, where the colourful, and tasty, market has been held since 1622.

Continue walking to the superb Place de l’hôtel de ville, surrounded by bars and shops, before stopping in front of the Palace of the Parlement of Brittany. An example of the grand royal and Parisian decor of the 17th century, this classical building, which has had a troubled history and is now home to the appeal court of Rennes, was the seat of the Parliament of Brittany until the Revolution.

Art lovers will want to stop off on the way at the Museum of Fine Arts, where paintings by Paolo Veronese and Picasso, as well as several treasures by the Impressionist Gustave Caillebotte are on display.

If biodiversity and astronomy are more your thing, then the Espace des Sciences is for you. In this place, which will amaze young and old alike, you can explore science through exhibitions, games and exciting videos! The legendary wizard Merlin, who performed his greatest exploits in the Breton forest of Brocéliande, also has a laboratory there, where you can try out a few experiments...

After strolling around the cobbled streets of the city centre, why not head for the elegant Thabor Park? Combining the lines of French-style formal gardens with the abundant nature of English landscaped gardens, this park is also home to the monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St Melaine. Today, the inhabitants of Rennes flock here in search of relaxation, to listen to music or to lounge in the rose garden, which boasts 2,000 varieties of roses.

There's always something happening in Rennes, but even more so when the very rock'n'roll Rencontres Trans Musicales Festival is on or the Les Tombées de la Nuit Festival, which celebrates street arts every July.

To get here, you can take the high-speed train from Paris, which is only two hours away. By road, the toll-free road network makes it easy to reach major towns in western France.

Where to stay in Rennes

Place des Lices showing a house

Rennes Centre

4/5(21 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
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Dinan - Saint-Malo

Dinan - Saint-Malo might not have many top sights, but Le Couvent des Jacobins and Place des Lices are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Dinan - Saint-Malo

Saint-Hélier

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

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

4/5(5 area reviews)

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
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La Touche

Even though there aren't top sights in La Touche, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Place des Lices. Jump on the metro at Anatole France Metro Station to see more of the city.

La Touche

Sud-Gare

5/5(1 area review)

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

Sud-Gare
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
3 out of 5
28 Avenue Jean Janvier, Rennes
The price is £59 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£59
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (641 reviews)
"RAS"

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
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 their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (371 reviews)
"hood location. unfortunately no a/c"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Hôtel Lanjuinais
Mama Shelter Rennes
Mama Shelter Rennes
4 out of 5
3 Place de la Trinite, Rennes, FRANCE
The price is £108 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£108
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (301 reviews)
"Wonderful location, very helpful staff and felt incredibly luxurious!"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Mama Shelter Rennes
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.
Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
2 out of 5
35 rue d'Antrain, Rennes
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Le Couvent des Jacobins ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (611 reviews)
"Staff was amazing!!! The rooms were spacious and clean"

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Palais du Parlement de Bretagne and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (457 reviews)
"Un hotel que supero mis espectativas."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
Appart'City Classic Rennes Beauregard
Appart'City Classic Rennes Beauregard
1, Rue Aurelie Nemours, Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
Stay at this eco-certified residence in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Le Couvent des Jacobins ...
7.8/10 Good! (410 reviews)
"Friendly helpful staff. Upgraded to larger room . Enjoyed my stay. Thank you"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2023

Appart'City Classic Rennes Beauregard
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

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 4%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A very nice place.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

beutiful place and quite city. I didnt get taxi to airport on weekend. Taxi service is very few, prepare well in time or pre book if you need a taxi.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Rennes can be seen in half a day, the only reason I would tell people to go here is to use it as a base to get to Mont St Michel - but once that's done, get out of there; there is seriously nothing to do especially on a Sunday when it closes!

Cities near Rennes