Rennes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Rennes Cathedral showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Rennes Cathedral showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Rennes which includes street scenes, cafe lifestyle and a city
Rennes which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Rennes showing heritage elements

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 Rennes Opera House 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
Dinan - Côtes d'Armor

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
les trains en gare de rennes

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
Le square de Villeneuve à Rennes sous la neige le 30 décembre 2016.

Sud-Gare

5/5(1 area review)

While you're strolling through Sud-Gare, you may want to check out the restaurants and historical sites. If you want to see more of the area, hop on the metro at Clemenceau Station or Jacques Cartier Station.

Sud-Gare
Mama Shelter Rennes

Mama Shelter Rennes

4 out of 5
3 Place de la Trinite Rennes FRANCE
The price is ₹8,240 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
₹8,240
₹9,485 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 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 attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (459 reviews)
Positive: Unique decor, comfortable bed, clean bathroom facilities. Pretty outdoor space. Caters to a young-ish crowd. Breakfast pretty good, dinner outstanding. Less positive (constructive criticism?): Some staff were great, others not so much. Did they need more staff for such a large hotel? Was ...

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Mama Shelter Rennes
Le Saint-Antoine Hotel & Spa, BW Premier Collection

Le Saint-Antoine Hotel & Spa, BW Premier Collection

4 out of 5
27, avenue Janvier Rennes
The price is ₹10,270 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
₹10,270
₹11,718 total
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
Le Saint-Antoine Hotel & Spa, BW Premier Collection
Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril

Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril

3 out of 5
2, rue Lorgeril Rennes
The price is ₹5,897 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
₹5,897
₹6,767 total
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Palais du Parlement de Bretagne and Place ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (534 reviews)
Cheap, but could be a bit more cheerful, the room was bland without even any pictures on the walls. Also for an Apartment/hotel it would have been nice to include a comfy chair in the room. The bathroom could also use some work replacing water damaged panels. But excellent value, and nice ...

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril
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.
Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril

Appart Hotel Odalys City Rennes Lorgeril

3 out of 5
2, rue Lorgeril Rennes
Stay at this aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Palais du Parlement de Bretagne and Place ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (534 reviews)
Cheap, but could be a bit more cheerful, the room was bland without even any pictures on the walls. Also for an Apartment/hotel it would have been nice to include a comfy chair in the room. The bathroom could also use some work replacing water damaged panels. But excellent value, and nice ...

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Appart Hotel 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (660 reviews)
Polite staff, clean room with kitchenette. This is not your typical hotel though. They only do weekly cleaning of rooms. You are responsible for cleaning your dishes and utensils. Parking and laundry facilities are available at extra charge. I believe they do have all this written down somewhere ...

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

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 aparthotel in Rennes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Roazhon Park and Place des Lices are ...
7.8/10 Good! (398 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

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!

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