Rennes Travel Guide

April - OctoberFranceEUR

Natural Beauty

Regional Cuisine

Small Towns

Rennes is the capital of Brittany, the most northwest region in France. A sea and countryside getaway, Brittany is famous for its unique heritage, medieval towns, and seaside villages. Dotted along the blue-green Atlantic coastline, towns like St. Malo, Dinard, and Cancale are long-time summer vacation spots for the French. Needless to say, you have to try the fresh seafood. Offshore, the island of Mont-Saint-Michel rests dreamily amongst the waves. One of the most beloved UNESCO heritage sites in France, this medieval abbey is connected to the mainland by a bridge over a treacherous causeway. Founded by a hermit, the island has a strange history. Once upon a time, pilgrims nicknamed it "St. Michael in peril of the sea". Today it is known for its ‘salt meadow lamb’, an especially tasty cut of lamb raised on salty ocean grasses.

Heading inland, you’ll find centuries-old churches, tumbledown cottages, and castles made from stone. Brittany’s ancient rocky landscape is very different from anywhere else in France, and its architecture is often likened to that of England or Ireland. This speaks to the special heritage of the Bretons who descend from a Celtic rather than a Frankish background. People here delight in their own music, culture, and language. Around Brittany, you’ll see signposts in Breton as well as in French, and you might even hear Binioù, the Breton bagpipe playing. In old-world towns like Dinan, the Breton spirit is truly alive. Dinan’s pretty, riverside settlement features a 13th-century rampart wall surrounding the old town. Walking the 1.6-mile perimeter wall, stepping over wildflowers to gaze out at the surrounding countryside, you will feel not just as though you are in a different time, but even in a different France.

Rennes itself is a tranquil, medium-sized city with a thriving gastronomic scene. The local marketplace, Les Lices, has been selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese for hundreds of years. When you stop by the market be sure to try a ‘Breton Hotdog’ - a sausage wrapped in a pancake. Pancakes, or more specifically savory stuffed galettes and thin, sweet lemony crêpes, are a regional specialty. Like its unique landscape, Brittany’s cuisine is all of its own. Here, they will recommend you wash down your pancakes with a crisp, dry, glass of cider, rather than wine. It is this kind of local variation that pulls both the French and foreigners back to Brittany time and time again. Due to its distinguished heritage, vibrant landscapes, and close proximity to Paris, Rennes, and the Brittany area are an excellent addition to your French experience.

Must See Attractions in Rennes

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most striking sights you’ll see in Europe. Inhabited since the 6th century, this medieval monastery is set on a rocky island just off the shores of Northern Brittany. An important UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont-Saint-Michel is still a working abbey. Monks and nuns of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem dwell on the island, adding to the feeling of pilgrimage and devotion. Previously the island could only be accessed at low tide, but today there is a bridge over the causeway. Once on the island, you can explore the abbey and museums, try some salty sea lamb, and take in the island’s eerie, contemplative surroundings.

Dinan

Arguably one of the most picturesque towns in France, and perhaps even all of Europe, Dinan is a must-stop if you find yourself in Brittany. A medieval stronghold with a remarkably intact perimeter wall, in the time it takes you to walk along Dinan’s ramparts you will fall in love with the place. As you follow the 1.6-mile wall around the town you will pass its old castle, serene churches, and leafy riverside port. No visit to Dinan is complete without stopping at Rue du Jerzual, a quaint medieval street that links the old town and the port. Lined with half-timbered houses, the street is banked against a steep hill. Should you tire on the ascent, there are small artisan shops and pubs selling cider.

Saint-Malo

The walled citadel of Saint-Malo is one of France’s top seaside destinations, and one with a lively history. In the 18th century, Saint-Malo was home to a select brand of French pirate known as a ‘corsair’. Glorified armed seamen, corsairs were granted permission by the French government to raid any ship from a nation at war with France. Once back onshore in Saint-Malo, they resumed the life of gentlemen. Saint-Malo prospered greatly as a result. On a visit to Saint-Malo today you can still admire the walled town, step aboard a replica pirate ship, breathe in the crisp sea air, and of course, indulge in some tasty seafood. Oysters from nearby Cancale are among the freshest you’ll ever try.