Rennes, Regional capital in Brittany, France
Rennes is a regional capital in Brittany, France, where the Ille and Vilaine rivers meet and the town spreads over gentle hills. The northern part preserves medieval timber houses, while the southern section features classical stone buildings erected after a major fire in the 18th century.
The city began as Condate Redonum during Roman times and later became the seat of the Parliament of Brittany from 1551. This parliament played a central role in governing the region until the Revolution dissolved the old structures.
The old town fills with students and locals meeting in small bars and crêperies tucked between timber houses. The city has long served as a university center, and you can feel this energy on the streets after dark when groups of young people shape the nightlife.
An automated metro connects key points around town, while the central train station offers direct links to Paris in less than two hours. The center is easy to explore on foot, and many shops and restaurants sit along the narrow lanes around Place des Lices.
The Parliament building holds 60 wooden panels depicting the history of Brittany, restored after a fire damaged the structure in 1994. Another notable point is the weekly market at Place des Lices, considered one of the largest in France and operating since the 17th century.
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