Rennes France
Rennes sits at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers in eastern Brittany, about 350 kilometres west of Paris - just under two hours by TGV. As the regional capital it combines an impressive medieval core with a youthful, forward-looking energy fuelled by over 60,000 students at its universities, making it one of the most densely student-populated cities in France relative to its size. The old quarter around Place Sainte-Anne and Rue Saint-Michel, known locally as la rue de la Soif (Street of Thirst), is a dense grid of half-timbered houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, now lined with bars, creperies, and independent shops. The 17th-century Parliament of Brittany building is one of the finest examples of classical architecture in western France. On Saturday mornings, Place des Lices hosts one of the largest and most celebrated weekly markets in the country, where local farmers and producers bring Breton butter, seafood, cider, and charcuterie. Breton cuisine is central to eating well here - buckwheat galettes with ham and cheese followed by sweet crepes and a glass of local cider is the canonical meal. Rennes is also a city with a strong music and festival culture, with several major events through the year and a genuine live music scene embedded in the neighbourhood bars.
The Parlement de Bretagne, a 17th-century gilded building in the center of the old city, is the architectural highlight of Rennes. The Saturday morning market at Place des Lices is one of the great weekly markets in France, filling multiple covered halls and the surrounding streets with Breton produce - particularly the oysters, crepes, and cidre. The Musee des Beaux-Arts has a solid art collection including a Rubens and works by Breton painters. The medieval half-timbered buildings in the old town survived the 1720 fire that destroyed much of the city and are well-preserved. Day trips to Saint-Malo (1 hour), Mont Saint-Michel (1.5 hours), and the Breton coastline are all straightforward.
Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport (RNS) is 8 km from the city center with flights to Paris and some European destinations. TGV from Paris Montparnasse reaches Rennes in about 1 hour 30 minutes, making the train the most practical option for most international arrivals. A Metro Line B extension to the airport opened in 2022.
Rennes has two metro lines and an extensive bus network (STAR), making it well-connected for a mid-sized French city. The historic center around Place du Parlement and the market halls is walkable. Cycling infrastructure is good. Taxis and rideshare (Uber) are available.
Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer mild Atlantic weather with lower chance of rain than winter. Summers are warm and pleasant. The Les Transmusicales festival in December is a major international music industry event held in Rennes.
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Our picks in Rennes
A curated selection of hotels chosen for location, value, and fit for conference travellers.
Garden Hotel
3 Rue Jean Marie Duhamel, 35000 Rennes, France
The hotel is in the very heart of Rennes, with its own car park and close to the station, bus services and...
Hôtel Atlantic
31 Bd de Beaumont, 35000 Rennes, France
Located in the immediate vicinity of the SNCF train station and the bus station. The privileged localisation of the Atlantic is its...
Hôtel Lanjuinais
11 Rue Comté de Lanjuinais, 35000 Rennes, France
Located in the center of Rennes, Hôtel Lanjuinais is 689 feet from Place de la République and 1148 feet from République Metro...
Kyriad Rennes Centre Gare
6 Pl. de la Gare, 35000 Rennes, France
Situated in central Rennes, opposite the SNCF train station, it is conveniently located for the historic city centre, Parlement of Brittany building...
Mercure Rennes Centre Parlement
1 Rue Paul Louis Courier, 35000 Rennes, France
In the heart of the city of Rennes, close to the historic center and its shops, the hotel offers easy transport access...
Novotel Rennes Centre Gare
22 Av. Jean Janvier, 35000 Rennes, France
In the very centre of Rennes, only 50 metres from the railway station, Novotel Rennes Centre Gare is a modern hotel with...
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