Driving to Rennes

Visiting Rennes

The medieval town of Rennes may not be the first place in France that travellers tend to visit, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be explored. Known for its medieval buildings, stacked crookedly together, the impressive Rennes Cathedral, and the rose garden of Parc du Thabor, there are plenty of places to explore here.

What to See in Rennes

Rennes Cathedral

When visiting a French town, you must take a trip to the local church or cathedral, and Rennes is no different. The site has been home to a cathedral since the 6th century, and despite collapsing in the 15th century and being badly damaged during WWII, the Rennes Cathedral still stands. Its restoration was completed in 2014, and so it’s in beautiful condition. Head inside to see the Roman high altar and the works of art that cover the walls. An important piece of historical importance for Rennes, you should definitely visit to get a better understanding of the town’s history.

Parc du Thabor

In the centre of the town, Parc du Thabor is the perfect place to come for a homemade picnic or a wander through the rose garden, and during the summer, you can take in the outdoor events put on by the local bands and theatre groups.

La Place des Lices

This square is a great place to have a look at any time, but make sure you pay a visit on Saturday morning and have a wander around its market. Fresh food aplenty, it’s your chance to try local produce and delicacies, such as Breton cider and salted butter.

Musée des Beaux-Arts

During the French Revolution, there was a great number of artworks that were confiscated from public buildings. Instead of hiding these artworks away, hidden from view, the Musée des Beaux-Arts was founded in 1794 to display them. Today, you can see work by Claude Vignon, Léon Cogniet and Georges Lacombe.

Where to Eat in Rennes

La Saint Georges

When in Brittany, it’d be a crime not to sample a couple of crêpes and galettes. The area’s famous delicacy has benefitted from hundreds of years of careful thought and preparation put into its recipe, and is still as popular as ever. We’re all familiar with a crêpe, but a galette is slightly less common, at least in the UK. Galettes are made with buckwheat flour, making theme similar in texture to a potato pancake. Head to La Saint Georges to try their traditional Brittany crêpes and galettes. Will you choose sweet, or savoury?

Where to Drink in Rennes

Couleurs Cafe

Exploring a new place can be exhausting, so you deserve a drink! Couleurs Cafe is a bright, lively spot for a cocktail or two. With a wide range of homemade rums, you will want to spend as much time as possible here.

Where to Stay in Rennes

Marnie & Mister H

When you’re visiting a medieval city, you should fully embrace the architecture and style. Marnie & Mister H is a stylish bed and breakfast, housed in a 16th century building. Chandeliers, private balconies, and a sunny outdoor terrace make this a beautiful little spot to call your temporary Rennes home.

Weather in Rennes

The warmest months are July and August, with average highs of 24°C. Typically, December, January and February are the coldest months, averaging maximum temperatures of about 8°C. December has the highest level of rainfall, reaching 80ml, and the lowest is in April at 40ml.

Getting there and around

Rennes is just over five hours from our Eurotunnel terminal in Calais, but bear in mind that some of these roads (A16 and E402) are tolled. Take the A16/E402 to the A28, continue to Rue Saint-Malo, then continue to Rennes.

There are plenty of car parking spots around Rennes, with many of the spots in the city centre. Make sure you always have some spare Euros on you, as some of the parking spaces charge. Hoche Car Park is a paid car park just a short walk from the city centre at €1.60 an hour.

Want to discover more about Rennes? It only takes 35 minutes to get from Folkestone to Calais. Remember to buy your Eurotunnel tickets with us early, to get the best deal.