Place des Lices, Medieval market square in Rennes, France
Place des Lices is a square in central Rennes with buildings from different periods, some featuring traditional timber-framed facades and others built of stone. The space is defined by historic and modern structures, offering seating areas, cafes, and restaurants.
The square took its name from medieval tournaments and duels that took place there during the 13th century between knights competing within wooden barriers. These events became so significant that the place retained this identity through subsequent centuries.
The square hosts a renowned Saturday morning market where vendors offer regional products and local specialties, making it a vibrant gathering place for residents and travelers. This weekly tradition has shaped how locals experience and use the space throughout the year.
The location is easily accessible by public transportation and has parking facilities nearby. Visitors will find benches, cafes, and restaurants where they can sit and rest while spending time in the area.
The space features an unusual trapezoidal shape that reflects the original layout of the medieval tournament grounds. This geometric peculiarity becomes apparent when observing the building edges during a visit.
Location: Rennes
GPS coordinates: 48.11280,-1.68350
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
Rennes offers a range of historic and cultural sites that reflect its history and current vibrancy. The city features green spaces like the Thabor Park with its French-style gardens and rose garden, religious buildings such as the neoclassical 19th-century Cathedral, and institutional structures like the 17th-century Parliament of Brittany, where visitors can explore rooms decorated with tapestries and painted ceilings. The museums in Rennes showcase different aspects of the region and art. The Museum of Brittany traces the development of the territory from Antiquity onward, while the Fine Arts Museum exhibits collections from the 14th to the 20th century. The FRAC Bretagne hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The Place of the Republic, with its Opera and Town Hall, constitutes the administrative and cultural heart. On Saturdays, the Marché des Lices brings together local producers and Breton specialties, providing an insight into local products.
Rennes offers photography locations from medieval streets to modern architecture. The city includes timber houses in rue de la Psalette, the rose garden at Parc du Thabor, and fortifications at Portes Mordelaises. Photographers find the Martenot market hall, the exhibits at FRAC Bretagne, and the market at Place des Lices.
Rennes Cathedral
126 m
Marché des Lices
29 m
Basilique Saint-Sauveur de Rennes
170 m
Condate Riedonum
142 m
Porte Mordelaise
128 m
Hôtel de Blossac
181 m
Halles Martenot
29 m
Église Saint-Étienne de Rennes
176 m
An Ti Kozh
101 m
Hôtel du Molant
91 m
Hôtel Montbourcher
57 m
Hôtel Racapé-de-La-Feuillée
49 m
Hôtel de La Noue
60 m
Maison de la Prévôté
137 m
Hôtel du Bouexic de Pinieuc
154 m
Maison, 22 place des Lices
74 m
Hôtel de Cintré
114 m
Hôtel de Cicé
124 m
Hôtel de La Bigne-Villeneuve
126 m
Rennes St-Sauveur basilica
183 m
Maison, 22 rue du Chapitre (Rennes)
182 m
Maison Saint-Pierre (Rennes)
166 m
Immeuble, 4-6 rue de la Psalette
171 m
Immeubles, 10 et 12 rue de la Psalette
155 m
Projet de restauration de la façade nord de la cathédrale de Rennes (1860)
126 m
Retable anversois de la cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Rennes
123 m
Maison, 6 rue Saint-Sauveur
134 m
Maison des Chevaliers du Saint-Esprit
146 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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