Sites to visit in Rennes: historic monuments, museums, and parks

The Parc du Thabor is a seven-hectare park in Rennes that combines French formal gardens with English landscape sections. This site offers a rose collection, botanical plantings, a bandstand for outdoor concerts, and an aviary. Visitors can also see the remains of a former Benedictine monastery that once stood here, connecting the park to the city's religious past.

Rennes Cathedral is a Roman Catholic building from the 19th century and serves as an important religious landmark within the city's range of historic and cultural sites. The cathedral displays a neoclassical facade, three naves, and a crypt beneath its structure. It represents one of the religious buildings that visitors can explore while discovering Rennes' historical heritage and cultural offerings.

The Parliament of Brittany is a 17th-century court building that stands as one of Rennes' key institutional structures. When visiting this site, you can walk through rooms decorated with historical tapestries and painted wooden ceilings. The main hall showcases the craftsmanship and artistic details that define this period of Breton architecture.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Rennes holds European paintings spanning from the 14th to 20th centuries alongside Egyptian antiquities, all housed in a 19th-century building. As part of the city's cultural institutions, it reflects Rennes' artistic heritage and historical development. Visitors can explore different art periods and experience the architectural character of this historic structure.

The Place de the République is the administrative and cultural center of Rennes. This square is defined by a neoclassical opera house and city hall that shape the cityscape. Around the square you will find various shops and cafes. The square serves as a venue for municipal events and regular markets, where visitors can experience the life of the city firsthand.

The Rennes Opera House was built in 1836 in neoclassical style and holds 642 seats for operas, concerts, and ballet performances. Together with the Town Hall, the Opera House forms the cultural and administrative heart of the city and contributes to the range of cultural sites that make up Rennes, alongside its historic monuments, museums, and parks.

Saint George Palace is a former 17th-century Benedictine monastery in Rennes that now serves as an exhibition space and venue for cultural programs. The building fits within Rennes' range of historic and cultural sites, where visitors can explore religious buildings such as the neoclassical 19th-century Cathedral, along with museums, parks, and institutional structures that reflect the city's past and present.

The Museum of Brittany in this collection of sites to visit in Rennes presents the evolution of the Brittany region from antiquity to the present day through archaeological artifacts and historical documents. The exhibition helps visitors understand the history and culture of this French region.

The FRAC Bretagne showcases contemporary art in this collection of historic and cultural sites in Rennes. The regional art center displays works from about 600 artists in rotating exhibitions, featuring more than 5000 pieces from its collection. It complements the city's other museums, which focus on the history of Brittany and classical art.

The Marché des Lices is a key part of visiting Rennes and showcases the local culture and products of the region. This market opens every Saturday morning and offers regional produce such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and artisanal specialties. Here you can immerse yourself in the daily life of the city and discover Breton specialties.

The Porte Mordelaise is a 15th century city gate in Rennes with two towers that once served as the ceremonial entrance for the Dukes of Brittany. This historic monument exemplifies the medieval architecture found throughout the city and reflects Rennes' rich past.

Place Saint-Germain is a central square in Rennes with numerous restaurants, bars and outdoor seating areas beside the 15th century Saint-Germain church. This square is part of the range of historic sites that reflect the city's history and current life. Visitors can admire the architecture of the old church while enjoying the activity of the square and its dining options.

Le Liberté is a modern event center with 4500 seats located in Rennes that complements the city's diverse cultural landscape. It hosts concerts, theater performances, and various cultural events that work alongside the historic monuments, museums, and parks that define Rennes as a vibrant cultural destination.

The Parc des Gayeulles is a large green space in Rennes that offers a variety of activities for visitors. The park features a lake, walking trails through its grounds, a water sports center, and a swimming pool. Families can enjoy a farm and mini golf courses. This park demonstrates the range of outdoor spaces and recreational facilities that Rennes provides for its residents and visitors.

The Ecomuseum of the Country of Rennes occupies a 16th-century farm and presents the agricultural history of the region through exhibitions and demonstrations. It complements the historic and cultural sites of Rennes, where visitors can explore both traditional farming practices and the region's contemporary life.

The Rue Saint-Michel is a central street in Rennes that hosts many bars and restaurants. It draws large crowds of students every Thursday evening, making it a popular gathering spot for nightlife. This street reflects the local social scene and complements Rennes' cultural sites with its dining and entertainment options.

The Halles Martenot is a 19th century market hall in Rennes where vendors offer regional products, cheese, meat and vegetables. This site is part of the historic and cultural destinations that reflect the city's connection to local commerce and daily traditions.

This medieval street in Rennes displays traditional timber houses with shops on the ground floor and original cobblestone pavement. The Rue du Chapitre sits within the city's historic core, alongside the neoclassical Cathedral, the 17th-century Parliament of Brittany, and the Museum of Brittany. Walking here, you experience how the city preserves its past while remaining active and engaged with its heritage.

The Convent of the Jacobins is a 14th-century monastery that represents an important chapter in Rennes' history. Following substantial restoration work, this site now serves as a congress center and exhibition space, hosting rotating shows throughout the year. It stands as a bridge between the city's medieval past and its contemporary cultural life.

This restored 16th-century building is part of Rennes' cultural and historic offerings, housing a restaurant that serves Breton crepes and galettes. It connects the city's architectural heritage with its living food traditions, allowing visitors to taste local specialties in a setting that reflects the city's past.

The Northern Cemetery in Rennes is a historic burial ground established in 1824 that reflects the city's past. It houses graves of important regional figures and tombs from the 19th century. This cemetery offers visitors a chance to explore another side of Rennes beyond its parks, museums, and public squares that showcase the city's development from ancient times to today.

The Place des Lices is a historic market square dating from the 15th century, contributing to the vibrant cultural life of Rennes. Every Saturday, vendors gather here for the region's largest food market, where local producers and Breton specialties are on display. This square offers visitors an insight into local products and the trading traditions of the region.

The Mail François Mitterrand is a 400-meter pedestrian zone in Rennes with shops, restaurants and public benches shaded by plane trees. This tree-lined walkway fits into the city's varied offerings, which include historic monuments like the Parliament of Brittany and the 19th-century Cathedral alongside modern green spaces and cultural venues.