Rennes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Rennes Cathedral showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Michel Angot
Rennes which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Rennes showing heritage elements
Rennes which includes café scenes and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Markets, museums, historical buildings and an interactive science center draw travelers to the center 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
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
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

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
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
3 out of 5
28 Avenue Jean Janvier, Rennes
The price is ฿2,555 per night from 8 May to 9 May
฿2,555
฿2,910 total
includes taxes & fees
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (606 reviews)
Modern, comfortable hotel
"A modern, comfortable hotel. Staff were very friendly and helpful. The room and bed were a good size and comfortable. Shower worked well. I was able to easily work from the hotel with very good WiFi internet speeds."

Reviewed on 2 Apr 2025

Campanile Rennes Centre - Gare
Hôtel Lanjuinais
Hôtel Lanjuinais
2 out of 5
11, RUE LANJUINAIS, Rennes
The price is ฿2,388 per night from 8 May to 9 May
฿2,388
฿2,690 total
includes taxes & fees
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this hotel in Rennes. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
"Great place to stay staff is great. The continental is very good , small but quality food ."

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2025

Hôtel Lanjuinais
Mama Shelter Rennes
Mama Shelter Rennes
4 out of 5
3 Place de la Trinite, Rennes, FRANCE
The price is ฿3,308 per night from 11 May to 12 May
฿3,308
฿3,790 total
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (281 reviews)
Beautiful and central boutique hotel
"Beautiful hotel with a spa and centrally located. We were able to walk to all the restaurants and enjoy the hamman and sauna. I loved the balcony as well."

Reviewed on 20 Apr 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.
Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
3 out of 5
2, rue Lorgeril, Rennes
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Palais du Parlement de Bretagne and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (447 reviews)
"Perfect location for a week stay in Rennes. Beautiful city and well worth a visit. Apartment was clean, spacious and well equipped."

Reviewed on 6 Apr 2025

Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
2 out of 5
35 rue d'Antrain, Rennes
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Le Couvent des Jacobins ...
Ok
"Good location. Average rooms, expensive breakfast"

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Access Rennes Centre
Appart'City Classic Rennes Ouest
Appart'City Classic Rennes Ouest
2 out of 5
7 rue Pierre Joseph Colin, Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
Stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Roazhon Park and Rennes ...
7.8/10 Good! (370 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.

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!

Cities near Rennes