Rennes
Rennes is Brittany's capital, known for its timber-framed streets, a large Saturday market and lively student evenings, about 1.5 hours from Paris by TGV.
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Rennes is the capital of Brittany, in northwest France, where the Vilaine and Ille rivers meet. Its old centre has timber-framed houses several centuries old, grouped in narrow lanes near the cathedral and the Parlement de Bretagne, the former seat of the region's parliament. Most of the old town's main sights sit within walking distance of each other, so you can cover them on foot in a morning.
The students at the city's universities keep bars and cafés busy in the evenings, mostly in the centre. The Saturday market on Place des Lices sells local produce, cheese, galettes and crêpes, and it is busiest in the morning. Rennes suits a two- or three-day city break or a first stop on a Brittany trip, since the TGV from Paris takes about 1.5 hours. Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable time to walk the old streets and sit outside.
Rennes in five
- Take the TGV from Paris MontparnasseDirect TGVs reach Rennes in about 1.5 hours, which makes a weekend simple. Book ahead for lower fares.Is a Eurail Pass worth it?
- Go on Saturday for the marketThe Marché des Lices is one of France's biggest, and the old center is lively that day. Check the schedule and arrive by 9am.
- Skip the car in town, rent one for the coastRennes is walkable and has a metro, but Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel are easier by car or tour. Pick up on the day you leave.St-Malo
- Eat a galette in the old centerBuckwheat galettes and cider are Brittany's standard meal. Ask for brut cider if you do not like sweet.
Things to do in Rennes
See all attractions in Rennes
Need to know
- Airport
- Rennes–Bretagne (RNS), small; most visitors arrive by train
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris Montparnasse about 1.5 hours
- Getting around
- Walking and the metro
- Best base
- The old center near Place des Lices
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; a full day for Saint-Malo
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cool, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, dampFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Mild, springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Spring showersAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring showers
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°MildMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°PleasantJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pleasant
- JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, festivalsJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, quiet cityAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet city
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Mild, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Wet, darkNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Trans MusicalesDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Trans Musicales
Average daily high and low in Rennes, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Dec Rencontres Trans Musicales
Right now in Rennes
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 13%
Rennes
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°5°13%Monday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Tue11°7°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed9°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°5°13%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Fri13°3°20%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sat10°3°8%Saturday: Fog. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun11°5°48%Sunday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 48%.
Updated 07:06 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jan–FebLa Folle JournéeNantes, a day trip
- JunHellfestNantes, a day trip
- DecRencontres Trans MusicalesRennes
Day trips by train
Before you go to Rennes
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Rules for Rennes, checked
- Check whether you need a Schengen visa before you fly. France's official visa portal lists the rules by nationality.Source
- Your passport should be valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
- Carry your passport or national ID card. French police can ask to see identity papers.
- Service is included in restaurant and café bills by law. Leaving a small extra amount is the usual custom, but it is not required.
Plan around Rennes
Walled port town, about 1 hour away
Read the guideMont St-Michel guideThe tidal abbey, an hour or so by car
Read the guideNantes travel guideThe other big western city, by train
Read the guideBrittany and NormandyHow to link the coasts of the northwest
Read the guideRouen travel guideThe Norman capital, further east by train
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, trains, entry rules and money for a France trip
Read the guideRennes FAQ
Is Rennes worth visiting?
Yes for a short city break. It has timbered houses, the Parliament of Brittany and a young crowd, and it costs less than Paris. Come for atmosphere and food, not big monuments.
How many days in Rennes?
One full day covers the old center and the market. Two days lets you add Saint-Malo or a museum. Three days only with Mont-Saint-Michel.
How far is Rennes from Saint-Malo?
About 1 hour by regional train or by car. A direct TER runs, so you can base in Rennes and visit the coast without a car.
Is Rennes a good base for Mont-Saint-Michel?
It is the biggest nearby city, but the trip needs a car or tour and takes about an hour each way. Saint-Malo or Pontorson is closer.
What is Rennes known for?
Timbered streets, galettes and cider, the Saturday market and its music scene. The Trans Musicales festival in early December draws visitors; check dates.