Place Saint-Germain, Central square in Rennes, France

Place Saint-Germain stretches from the Saint-Germain Church toward the Vilaine River, forming a rectangular open space in central Rennes. The square is bordered by buildings of different periods and sits directly along the riverbank.

Place Saint-Germain grew from a ford and crossing point over the Vilaine in the 11th century, when the church of Saint-Germain stood just inside the city wall. The medieval gate and bridge made it a passage for goods entering Rennes, and craftsmen settled around the church. The square was later rebuilt and its present layout dates from the 20th century.

The name comes from the church of Saint-Germain, whose parish gave the square its identity. The Breton name Plasenn Sant-Jermen is still used locally. The square has long served as a market and meeting point on the left bank of the Vilaine, and the surrounding streets keep the names of the old craft trades that worked near the church and the former city gate.

Place Saint-Germain lies on the right bank of the Vilaine, between the Saint-Germain church and the river, a short walk south of the old centre. The surface is level and paved, so it can be crossed on foot or by wheelchair without difficulty. The square is open to traffic and pedestrians alike, and the riverside edge gives a direct view of the Vilaine.

During metro construction in 2014, workers discovered a World War II bomb beneath the surface. This finding revealed how remnants of the conflict remain hidden below the city center.