Rennes Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
capital city of the region of Brittany, France
About Rennes
Rennes has long been one of the main towns of Brittany, but until 1806 it was overshadowed by the capital and Atlantic port Nantes. Then under Napoleon I Bonaparte, Nantes lost that role and indeed was removed from Brittany, so Rennes came to the fore. Its small river Vilaine was canalised and made navigable, and connected to other towns, so freight and industry were boosted even before the arrival of the railway. Its higgledy-piggledy medieval streets and half-timbered houses were mostly lost to a great fire in 1720, and replaced by stately stone mansions on a grid pattern, though the area east of the cathedral retains some of its older style. The city was badly damaged in the Second World War: in 1940 German bombing hit an ammunition train parked next to troop and refugee trains, the day
Top Attractions in Rennes
Explore the best things to see and do in Rennes:
- ★Cathedral Saint-Pierre
- ★Frac Bretagne
- ★Jardin Moderne
- ★Le Blizz
- ★Musée de Bretagne
- ★Musée des Beaux-Arts
- ★Parc du Thabor
- ★Stade Rennais FC
Where to Eat in Rennes
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Chez Nous
- 🍴Crêperie Sainte-Anne
- 🍴Frencheez
- 🍴Holen
- 🍴La Sarrasine
- 🍴Le Bistro Volney
Where to Stay in Rennes
- 🏨Atlantic Hôtel Rennes Centre Gare
- 🏨Auberge de Jeunesse HI
- 🏨Campanile
- 🏨Camping des Gayeulles
- 🏨Hôtel Des Lices
- 🏨ibis Rennes Centre Gare Sud
Rennes Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: