1 – The historic center

One can only marvel at the historic center of Rennes when seeing these magnificent medieval half-timbered houses with their colorful facades. The half-timbered houses are the trademark of the city of Rennes, it is indeed the city where you see the most of them.

The Couvent des Jacobins

Built in the 14th century, this convent was later transformed into a convention center in the 21st century. Today it houses the tourist office as well as a contemporary art exhibition every other year (Pinault collection), concerts and salons with varied themes open to the public.

The Place du champ-Jacquet

A relatively unusual place: the half-timbered houses located on this square are really not straight, but this lopsided aspect is not worrying because the houses lean on the medieval rampart located at the back. But it must be admitted that this is not common!

The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

Not much remains of the 12th-century Gothic cathedral (except for an arcade at the back of the facade), and nothing of the 6th-century one. The current classical style dates from the 17th century: 44 granite columns covered with stucco imitating marble to which a more ostentatious style wanted by the Bishop of Rennes who found it too austere was added in the 19th century.

Marble stucco, gold, ultra-montane style, treasure room, and late Middle Ages altarpiece surprise and charm tourists. You can see from afar the 2 towers measuring 50 m in height.

The cathedral is intimately linked to the history of the Dukes of Brittany.

The Place des Lices

Formerly a place for knights' tournaments, it is now surrounded by superb private mansions as well as 2 19th-century metal halls. The market has been established on this square since the 17th century and is one of the largest in France. You'll have the pleasure of tasting the famous "galette saucisse" in a friendly atmosphere, every Saturday, from early morning.

The Palais du Parlement de Bretagne

This highly symbolic monument in Brittany was built in the 16th century following the attachment of Brittany to the kingdom of France. The Court of Appeal has been sitting in this building since 1804, magnificent 17th-century canvases and paintings adorn the palace.

The Porte Mordelaise or Porte Royale

This 15th-century fortification, consisting of two towers enhanced with machicolations and a double drawbridge, was formerly the main entrance to Rennes.