As the capital of Brittany, Rennes is a hub of northern French culture.
Just a 90-minute train ride from Paris and you’ll be in the city’s medieval old town, lined with its characteristic half-timbered houses that you’ll spot on many postcards. Beyond, art galleries packed with masterpieces, renowned food markets, and traditional crêperies abound make it a must-visit if you’re looking to experience true Breton culture.
However, Rennes isn’t just limited to its cultured past. A thriving student population means the small city has a real buzz. During the summer, quirky art and music festivals take over the streets, including bass-thumping Festival Mythos to eco-gathering Quartiers d'Eté.
If you’re looking to explore beyond Rennes itself, Brittany’s beautiful windswept coastline — home to Saint-Malo and Mont Saint-Michel — is an easy day trip by train.
Not sure what to do in Rennes? Read on to discover the highlights of this charming French city.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Kevin LEBRE. Image Location: Rennes, France
The best things to do in Rennes, France
Walk around medieval Rennes
Head straight for Rennes Centre, where you’ll find the medieval but vibrant heart of the city. Wander down the Rue du Champ-Jacquet with its centuries-old, slanted town houses, recognizable for their distinctive herringbone design. Keep your eyes peeled for the neoclassical Cathedral Saint-Pierre and Parliament of Brittany, built in the 17th century.
Enjoy Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci
Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the city’s public art collection, housed inside a 19th-century palace. Ponder artworks by Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albrecht Dürer, among others inside this free museum.
Stop and smell the roses at the Botanical Gardens
From here, it’s a ten-minute walk to Thabor Park — a 10-hectare green space filled with impressive botanical and rose gardens, an aviary, playgrounds, and picnic spots. Free live music events take place here on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.
Eat like a local at France’s second-largest food market
Visiting on a Saturday? Stop by the Place des Lices where France’s second-largest food market has been held for over 400 years. Peruse the colorful stalls overflowing with farm-fresh produce, and make sure you try galettes-saucisse — a local delicacy consisting of pork sausage wrapped in a buckwheat crêpe.
Visit the coastal town of Saint-Malo
If you’ve got a day to spare, hop on the train from Rennes to the coastal town of Saint-Malo. In less than an hour, you’ll be strolling along the golden sand beach wrapped by turquoise waters.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Majopez. Image Location: France
What to eat in Rennes, France
You can’t visit Rennes without trying a Breton crêpe. Tucked away on a side street behind the Musée des Beaux-Arts is the restaurant Bretone. Head up to the leafy rooftop terrace for a savory galette topped with serrano ham, gorgonzola cheese, and roasted pear drizzled with maple syrup.
For lunch, Le Bistro Volney serves traditional French dishes with a flair on the Rue Saint Georges. Think rich duck cassoulet and mussels served with a creamy, cider-infused sauce.
Alternatively, get the local experience by hopping on the Metro to Pof near Clemenceau station. Sharing platters and small plates are the specialty here. Creative plates include slivers of Saint-Malo scallops with wasabi-spiked black pudding and passion fruit dressing.
Image Credit: Getty Images, David Tomlinson. Image Location: Rennes, France
Where to stay in Rennes, France
The best 5 star and boutique hotels
For an upscale stay, book the five-star Balthazar Hotel & Spa. This contemporary boutique hotel is barely a hop from the city center. Pull up a stool in the bar for an afternoon apéro or rest your weary limbs at the Nuxe Spa with its pool, steam room, and sauna.
The best budget accommodation
Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, opt for the Rennes B&B, close to Rennes Station. Forget chintzy curtains and lumpy mattresses — this chic apart-hotel is decked out with fresh Californian-style decor (think oatmeal linen sofas and rattan light fittings). Each room comes with a kitchenette for whipping up quick meals.
How to get to Rennes, France by train
The Rennes train station sits right in the city center. Getting here is straightforward, thanks to France’s TGV train network. Direct trains run from Paris (1h 35min) and Nantes (1hr 15min) to Rennes. Once you arrive in Rennes, there are two metro lines that will take you across the city in minutes.
Buy your tickets on the Trainline app - it’s quick and easy to use, plus you’re guaranteed the best train ticket deals with our best fare finder.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Patrick Donovan. Image Location: Rennes, France
