Cathedrale Saint-Pierre de Rennes
The Cathedrale Saint-Pierre is the seat of the Archdiocese of Rennes and the main religious monument in Brittany's capital.
Historic house in Rennes
Parlement de Bretagne
Also known as Parliament of Brittany
Paid entryThere is an entry charge.
The Parlement de Bretagne is the grandest building in Rennes and the historic seat of Brittany’s parliament, completed in the 1650s to a design by Salomon de Brosse, the architect behind the Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Inside sit gilded chambers and painted ceilings whose craftsmanship rivals Versailles. The building nearly burned down in February 1994 when a flare fired during a fishermen’s protest lodged in the roof, and the careful restoration that followed is part of why a visit feels so remarkable today. The square out front costs nothing to stand in and is the cheapest way to take in the facade. The interior is still a working courthouse, so it can only be seen on a guided tour booked through the Rennes tourist office for a modest fee, which makes it one of the better-value paid sights in a budget-friendly student city. Pair it with the free market at Marche des Lices, the gardens of Parc du Thabor, and the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre de Rennes, all a short walk away.
Practical
Before you go
- Address
- Place du Parlement de Bretagne, 35000 Rennes
- Good to know
Nearby
More in Rennes
Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
Marche des Lices
The Marche des Lices is one of the largest open-air markets in France and the centrepiece of any Saturday morning in Rennes. It fills two covered halls and the surrounding streets of the Place des Lices with Breton produce: oysters and shellfish hauled up from the coast, farm cheeses, cider, and stalls of vegetables that change with the season.
Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island in Normandy topped by a medieval Benedictine abbey, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe. The island streets, the ramparts, and the lower parish church are all free to walk, which makes it one of the best free half-day stops on the France map.
Parc du Thabor
The Parc du Thabor is one of the finest urban parks in western France, and for budget travelers in Rennes it is the best free afternoon in the city.
Working out what Rennes costs?
The whole of Rennes