Le weekend in Rennes

Rennes has it all: with a rich history stretching back over 2000 years, Rennes offers a buzzing cultural scene and nationally-renowned food market, making it the perfect place for a weekend break.
The best way to get an overview of the city is on a tourist office walking tour which winds its way through the city’s atmospheric mediaeval cobbled streets. Conducted in English, these animated tours can be tailored for families, foodies or culture-vultures, and include sights like the Brittany Parliament building in place du parlement de Bretagne which welcomed its first ministers in 1655 and today houses the justice courts and court of appeal. Entry is only by guided tour but is a must to view the stunning interior decoration.
Nearby, the town hall dates from 1728 and was designed by royal architect Gabriel who also built the imposing square in front of the parliament building.
The Fine Arts Museum on quai Émile-Zola features art old and new including works by Rubens, Picasso and Chardin as well as a very impressive archaeological collection.
The Museum of Brittany in the ultra modern Champs Libres looks back over Brittany’s past while within the same building, the Science Museum offers hands-on experimentation for young visitors and an impressive planetarium.
There are plenty of hotels in Rennes, but for a stay with character, Rennes Attitudes offers a choice of quirky one bedroom apartments at the very heart of the city. Choose from Romance, with its classical novels and original modern art, Chocolat, furnished in warm browns with Nutella bedside lamps, or Souvenir d’enfance which features vintage toys.
Eating out French-style is a must and no visit would be complete without a meal at a crêperie where you’ll tuck into traditional savoury buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes filled with a range of regional ingredients. Award-winning Crêperie La Sarrasine in rue Saint-Georges and Maison de Joséphine in rue Saint-Melaine are among the best places to try them.
For formal dining La Taverne de la Marine on Place de Bretagne offers excellent fresh fish and shellfish while Café Breton in rue Nantaise specialises in regional cooking.
French foodies flock to Rennes for Le Marché des Lices which takes place every Saturday in the centre of the city with over 300 stall holders from across the region. It’s the second largest food market in France and sells everything from wild mushrooms to snails.
Across the city specialist boutiques sell everything from fine art to luxury chocolates. Produits Bretons in rue Hoche has a good selection of traditional Breton shirts and pottery while Lostmarc’h in rue Hoche offers beauty products inspired by Breton plants and flowers.
For designer shopping, Rennes' boutiques include Hermès, Lacoste and Longchamp, with other big names available at the Galeries Lafayette department store on rue Duguay-Trouin.
After dark, Rennes’ pavement cafes and buskers bring the city alive. Rennes Opera in Place de la Mairie has a year-round programme of international artists while the National Theatre of Brittany in rue Saint-Hélier is particularly renowned for its theatre and dance.
Food festivals, cultural events and a renowned Christmas market makes Rennes a great place to visit throughout the year, with plenty to do undercover. And best of all, it’s only an hour away by plane, allowing you to shop for fabulous French food during the day and tuck into it at home that evening.

Essentials
Fly to Rennes from Southampton with Flybe. www.flybe.com
Bookings for Rennes Attitude apartments can be made online at www.rennesattitude.com
Alternative accommodation and sightseeing weekends in Rennes can be booked directly with the tourist office which also offers a number of themed tours from its offices in rue Saint-Yves,
+33 (0)2 99 67 11 11, www.tourisme-rennes.com

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