Rennes

Travel Guide

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

Markets, museums, historical buildings and an interactive science centre draw travellers to the centre 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 centre 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 centre. Due to its accessible and practical location, it is a popular meeting point for locals and travellers. 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 grey 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 centre 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 which includes 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
Thabor Botanic Gardens showing flowers and a park

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

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
Espace des Sciences

Colombier - Champ de Mars

Colombier - Champ de Mars is a destination travellers like for its spas, and you might hop aboard the metro at Charles de Gaulle Metro Station or Colombier Station to explore sights like Le Liberte.

Colombier - Champ de Mars
Mama Shelter Rennes

Mama Shelter Rennes

4 out of 5
3 Place de la Trinite, Rennes, FRANCE
The price is RM538 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
RM538
RM611 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (321 reviews)
"Great location. Funky Hotel and Decor.Very nice staff."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Mama Shelter Rennes
Kyriad Rennes Centre Gare

Kyriad Rennes Centre Gare

3 out of 5
6 Place De La Gare, Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM357 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
RM357
RM406 total
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (792 reviews)
"Opposite the train station. 20 minute-walk from the city centre. Clean and spacious room and bathroom. Quiet too, which was great for me. Very friendly and attentive staff."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Kyriad Rennes Centre Gare
Mercure Rennes Centre Parlement

Mercure Rennes Centre Parlement

4 out of 5
1 Rue Paul Louis Courier, Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
The price is RM456 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM456
RM521 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Musée des Beaux-Arts and Halles Centrales ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (562 reviews)
Graeme’s stay
"Great check in thank you Eugene."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Mercure Rennes Centre Parlement
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
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! (621 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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Palais du Parlement de Bretagne and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (461 reviews)
"Un hotel que supero mis espectativas."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
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! (380 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 9 Oct 2024

Appart'City Classic Rennes Ouest
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.

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