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 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
Default Image

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
Thabor Botanic Gardens showing a park and flowers

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
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 Musée de Bretagne.

Colombier - Champ de Mars
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
3 out of 5
28 Avenue Jean Janvier, Rennes
The price is RM296 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
RM296
RM339 total
18 Jul - 19 Jul
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! (644 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 our 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 RM529 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
RM529
RM602 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
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! (302 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
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! (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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. 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
Book a stay at this eco-certified residence in Rennes. Enjoy free WiFi, 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!