Rennes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Rennes Cathedral which includes a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Michel Angot
Rennes which includes heritage elements, street scenes and heritage architecture
Rennes featuring heritage elements
Rennes showing café lifestyle and street 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 center 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 center. Due to its accessible and practical location, it is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers. 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 gray 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 center 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

4.5/5(2 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
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

Saint-Hélier

4/5(1 area review)

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

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 NZ$241 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
NZ$241
30 Aug - 31 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! (325 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 NZ$160 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$160
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (793 reviews)
"Excellent location for our travels around France via train. 100 m to Gare de Rennes and 200 meters to Bus station. Several restaurants to choose from within easy walking distance. Very close to the historical areas. Room was clean and comfortable and breakfast was very good, as restaurants were very ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$205 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$205
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (564 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! (623 reviews)
"The hotel was conveniently located to the main city area which was great as we could walk and not have to use the car. The room was comfortable and large enough for 3. Beds were comfortable and the facilities good. Onsite laundry (at a cost) a bonus."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 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! (462 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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