Rennes, the vital momentum
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Why not come and discover the architecture of Rennes, a city of Art and History, many parts of which can only be explored on foot. Look out for the timber framed houses as you amble along the town's medieval streets and then make your way around the "place des Lices", where the handsome private dwellings of former Breton Parliamentarians still stand proud.
On the "Place de la Mairie", the baroque and classical style town hall looks across at the town's theatre hall, not far from which is the recently restored Parlement de Bretagne building, the guardian of Brittany's heritage. Rennes also offers you the chance to escape for a while with its fountains and wooded parks, such as the 'Jardin du Thabor' towards the east of the city centre, whose rural charm blossoms out through a wealth of varied vegetation. Wandering here and there through the city streets, steal a glimpse of an intimate courtyard scene, watched over by a mascaron (a mask or face) sculpted over the porch. And to round off your tour, indulge yourself by stopping off at one of the many crêperies in the heart of the old town.
A lively city proud of its past
Rennes has a strong cultural identity and through the regional collections held by the Musée de Bretagne, you will be able to discover for yourself the extent to which the city is firmly anchored in its Breton roots. As for the Musée des Beaux Arts, Rennes' Fine Art Museum, it has a surprising and superb collection of works by great European masters. From conservation to innovation, Rennes has made a conscious decision to link the past with the present in order to prepare the cultural heritage of the future.
Rennes the artist
Playing the card of artistic adventure, Rennes has developed an international reputation for its avant-garde cultural events. For the past twenty years, the annual Rennes Tranmusicales event has been introducing the great rock stars of tomorrow, whilst the Festival des "Tombées de la Nuit" has become a major focal point for the most diverse of contemporary creations.
