Rennes

About Rennes

Rennes is the capital of the Ille-et-Vilaine department in the Brittany region of western France. It is located at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers.

The city has a rich and turbulent past with many devastations and attacks throughout history. But after each and every attack on the city, Rennes has risen again and recovered from the destruction. A special rivalry has always existed between Nantes and Rennes. Historically, these two cities have always fought for supremacy. Rennes reached its peak during the French Revolution when it became the headquarters of the Republican army.

The city has been hit by many fires, the most devastating occurring in 1720 when the city was almost completely burned down. The last major fire occurred in 1994, and after each disaster that struck the city, the citizens, with the help of the government, renovated and rebuilt the city. It is a shame that many important historical buildings were lost in the past due to the many tragedies that struck the city, but today some of them have been renovated and can be visited by tourists. There is also a newer part of the city that has a well-developed industry that has grown steadily over the past few decades.

Rennes is also known for its high quality and prestigious university. The city is also a center for technology and science, as many scientific projects are carried out in Rennes. In general, the city is very advanced in the fields of astronomy, science, and technology.

Rennes really has everything you want in a modern city. Lots of green spaces, well-developed industry and university, a vibrant nightlife, rich history with many places to visit, lots of people living here and of course an excellent cuisine that is a trademark for the whole of France. So if you are taking a road trip through France, be sure to put Rennes on your bucket list. It's a city you are sure to love!

Basic info and car hire in Rennes

• Location: Britany region, western France
• Population: 217,728
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:   Rennes has an oceanic climate.
• Holidays in Rennes:   For public holidays in Rennes follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Rennes are in good condition.
• Car hire in Rennes:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Rennes is at Rennes airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Rennes!

 Driving in Rennes

If you want to take a road trip through France and visit Rennes, you can of course use your car to do it. But it might be better to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city and use the very well organized public transportation. When driving in the city, make sure that you respect all the signs on the side of the road, because there are some rules here that do not apply in every French city. The most important rule is that of low emission zones.

From the 1st day (in the case of rapid pollution) or the 2nd day (in the case of progressive pollution) of high pollution, the maximum speed is reduced by 20 km/h on roads with a speed limit of 110 - 130 km/h and tickets for public transport throughout the network of STAR are reduced to €1.50/day.

From the 4th day, vehicles must be at least Crit'Air 5 to drive within the Rennes motorway ring road from 07:00-20:00.

From the 6th day onwards, vehicles must be at least Crit'Air 3 to drive within the Rennes motorway ring road from 07:00-20:00.

There are stickers called "air quality certificates" (Certificats qualité de l'air), which are compulsory for French and foreign vehicles. The stickers for foreign vehicles can be purchased in English, French, German, or Spanish. These stickers can also be purchased by people outside France.

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

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
• Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
• Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
• Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

What to see in Rennes

Parc du Thabor

This beautiful park is the perfect place to escape the crowded streets of Nantes and enjoy the green surroundings with its many different types of plants. It is a unique experience when you visit this park during the Tombées de la Nuit, an annual outdoor summer festival celebrating art and culture. During this festival, many events take place here and it is really worth attending one of them.

Duchesne Tower

This tower was built in the 15th century and was used to protect the city from invaders. It was rebuilt several times during its existence and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Parlement de Bretagne

This fabulous 7th-century architecture was built for the needs of the Breton Court. The building is still in use today and houses the Rennes Court of Appeal. Guided tours are available for those who wish to discover the interior of this majestic building.

La Place des Lices

This is the second-largest eco-market in France. Every Saturday morning, there are a large number of stalls here selling all kinds of goods. From fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers to artwork, books, tolls, etc. So if you want to buy something traditional from this area, you should definitely come here on Saturday morning.