
Things to do in Rennes
Welcome to Rennes
Part medieval powerhouse and part buzzing student city, Brittany's capital is as renowned for its rich heritage as its lively nightlife. A warren of cobbled lanes and timber-framed buildings mark the remainder of Rennes' historic quarter—mostly destroyed by a 1720 fire—and walking tours reveal highlights such as the Breton parliament building and the Thabor gardens. Rennes' thriving cultural scene also serves up enough art museums, festivals, and bars to keep travelers entertained, but a day trip to the nearby Mont St. Michel is easily one of the best things to do in Rennes.
Explore Rennes by interest
Top activities in Rennes
Explore our promoted experiences
People Also Ask
Yes, Rennes is worth visiting, even if only to eat the region’s culinary specialties—try crepes, galettes, and cider for starters. The capital of Brittany and a university town, Rennes buzzes year-round with a mix of past and present. It’s where slanting, half-timber houses rub shoulders with towering, glass-fronted modern buildings.
...MoreLike many places in France, Rennes is famous for history and art. The city dates back to Roman times, and that history is visible in the varied façades of the buildings. Art lovers are spoiled in Rennes, with the Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts a highlight.
...MoreYou’ll want to marvel at the old town’s half-timber buildings, which drunkenly slant to one side with beams that resemble cross-stitching patterns. The other reason to visit Rennes is for the food. Buckwheat galettes are a mainstay, and being the capital of Brittany, the seafood here is a standout.
...MoreVisit Rennes to immerse yourself in French life. The city is gorgeous, but it’s not created for tourists. It’s lived in, and you’ll find everyone from students to the elderly populating the town. It’s greener than Paris, with many urban parks, and some of the country’s best food markets.
...MoreThere’s lots to do in Rennes at night. The university city has many bars, particularly along the river banks. Rennes is also good for live music. La Basse Cour, on an old farm, offers an eclectic mix of activities, from daytime baklava-making classes to intimate nighttime concerts.
...MoreNo, although Rennes is the capital of Brittany, it’s not by the sea. But you can reach some of the best beaches in the country easily. The walled port town of Saint-Malo is an hour by train, and Dinard, across the estuary from Saint-Malo, is a favorite celebrity seaside resort.
...MoreRennes information
Number of Attractions | 0 |
---|---|
Number of Tours | 35 |
Number of Reviews | 31 |
Currency | EUR |
Trending attractions
- Colosseum
- Eiffel Tower
- Hoover Dam
- Statue of Liberty
- Sagrada Familia
- Burj Khalifa
- Louvre
- Acropolis
- Road to Hana (Hana Highway)
- Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
- St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
- Molokini Crater
- Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi)
- Na Pali Coast
- Blue Lagoon
- Tower of London
- Stonehenge
- Milan Duomo
- Ellis Island
- Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria dei Fiori)
Popular on Viator
- Statue of Liberty Tours and Tickets
- The White House Tours and Tickets
- Antelope Canyon Tours and Tickets
- Hoover Dam Tours and Tickets
- Alcatraz Tours and Tickets
- Stonehenge Tours and Tickets
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Tours and Tickets
- Beverly Hills Tours and Tickets
- Colosseum Tours and Tickets
- Washington Monument Tours and Tickets
- San Diego Zoo Tours and Tickets
- Space Needle Tours and Tickets
- Eiffel Tower Tours and Tickets
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tours and Tickets
- Empire State Building Tours and Tickets
- Art Institute of Chicago Tours and Tickets
- Aquarium of the Pacific Tours and Tickets
- Blue Lagoon Tours and Tickets
- Burj Khalifa Tours and Tickets
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Tours and Tickets