Rennes hotels

Hotels in Rennes

Rennes is the tenth-largest French city and is located in the east of Brittany in north-western France. The capital of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department, the city is a great base to explore eastern Brittany by public transport, with its excellent bus and train connections.

Les Champs Libres

Whether young or old, no trip to Rennes would be complete without visiting Les Champs Libres. Designed by world-famous architect Christian de Portzamparc, it is located in the centre of Rennes on the Place aux Cultures, near the railway station. Housing the Musée de Bretagne, the Espace des Sciences, the city library and temporary exhibition rooms, the Champs Libres is a major centre for culture.

The Musée de Bretagne recounts Brittany's history and culture from prehistoric times – you can even listen to Breton being spoken.

The Espace des Sciences covers 2,000m² and features different areas including Merlin's laboratory, an area where visitors can discover 30 science experiments, and a 95-seat hemispherical planetarium. Scientific events and lectures are held here on a regular basis.

Timber-framed houses

Arguably one of the most exciting aspects of Rennes is the wonderful medieval centre, with its tall, narrow half-timbered houses. Sadly a large part was destroyed by a fire in 1720, but the part which survived, seen in almost every postcard of Rennes, is based in a few streets to the east and south of Rue de Champ Jacquet and the Place des Lices. La Place Sainte-Anne is an ideal place for lunch, as it has both views of the timber buildings and the Cathedral Saint-Pierre.

Shopping

La Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is a great starting point for a shopping trip. Head down Rue Orléans, Rue d'Estrées, Rue le Bastard or Rue La Motte Fablet to find the best-known chains, and for the more unusual boutiques, try Rue de Toulouse, Rue Lafayette and Rue Nationale.

Nightlife

Rennes has the eighth-largest university campus in France, and as such is a vibrant place with a buzzing nightlife. If you're looking for a wild night out, head for La Rue de la Soif, literally meaning ‘Thirst Street', otherwise known as Rue St Michel.

With its lively year-round cultural scene, Rennes is the perfect spot to enjoy a play, a film or an exhibition. At the beginning of July, Rennes hosts the celebrated ‘Tombées de la Nuit festival'. A mixture of music, light shows, juggling and fire-eating, it's really worth witnessing.

Food

With some 400 restaurants and cafés, Rennes offers a wide range of cuisines, including fine dining, traditional restaurants, bistros and crêperies. At La Fontaine aux Perles, Rue de la Poterie, you can enjoy a Michelin star Gourmet Seafood Salad, Galette White Turbot Andouille and Meringue Shell Lime Sorbet in a gorgeous country house setting, and that's just one of the amazing eateries on offer in Rennes.

You have a world of choice when it comes to Rennes hotels, whatever your budget and tastes.