TOURISM
Leave the hotel to explore Rennes, city of art and history and capital of Brittany. It's also a student city and a european community of high technology.
Discover Rennes along the paved alleys borded by half-timbered houses, a city tha offers big cultural events from day as well as by night.
You will be suprised by the diversity of Rennes heritage, from Roman Gallic to now a days, that you will be able to discover through the many meuseums and exhibitions.
You can also find more information on things to do on www.tourisme-rennes.com/
VISIT RENNES
THE 10 ESSENTIAL WEBSITES OF THE BRETON CAPITAL
LA CHAPELLE SAINT-YVES
Flamboyant Gothic style, this renovated chapel from XVth century, has been built for the hospital Saint-Yves, before being fitted in hardware in the XIXth century.
It shelters today the Tourist Information of Rennes abrite where you can find many information on guided tours and get the tourist map of the city. The precious inside and outside decorations of the chapel are teeming with surprising sculptures: animals sticking their tongue out, rabbit sleeping, mischievous cat, mischievous faces or a amused. You will be suprised by the number of looks you get!
PERMANENT EXIBHITION « RENNES, METROPOLIS OF ART AND HISTORY » VISIBLE ON THE OPEN HOURS OF THE TOURIST INFOMATION.
LA PLACE DES LICES
Old « champ clos » medieval where where happening knights tournaments, the name of the Lices was known in 1337 thanks to a certain Bertrand Du Guesclin who will have his first fight. Bordered on the North by the par de big private hotels in wooden panels or in stones from the XVIIth century and on the South by two metal halls drawn by Jean-Baptiste Martenot, in 1869, in the manner of Baltard, this squarre host since 1622, the market of the Lices !
It became one of he biggest markets of France, it's at dawn, each saturday that the Market of the Lices, comes to life to present you the stalls that explode in coulor, in smells and flavours. Useless to resist a the festive atmosphere whose visit can only finish by tasting the famous « galette saucisse » !
LES PORTES MORDELAISES
Rebuilt in the XVth century, this building, wich is characterised by its two symmetrical towers enhanced by battlements with a double drawbridg, was the main entrance to the fortified town.
Also called "royal door", in reference to the Dukes of Brittany whom before being coronated at the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, crossed the door after taking the oath to defend the liberties of Brittany.
SAINT-PIERRE CATHEDRALE
Roman high altar, monumental great organ, paintings and remarkable vaults, discover the treasures of a cathedral rebuilt and decorated in the second half of the XIXth century. Saint-Pierre Cathedral has hosted important moments in he hisory of Brittany and Franc, such as the coronation of the Dukes and Duchesses of Brittany.
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 9H30 A.M. TO 12 P.M. AND FROM 3 P.M. TO 6P.M.
THE PARLIAMENT OF BRITTANNY
Designed by Salomon de Brosse, it was spared by the great fire of 1720, but burnt down in 1994. Containing Frenchpictoral gems from the XVIIth century, the Palace of Parliement has been reborn thanks to the exemplary mobilisation and renovation. Inside prestige is embodied in the French ceilings, carved and gilded woodwork, allegorical paintings whose Grand’ Chambre (Big Room) constitutes the bjewelof this exeptional decor.
VISITS ALL YEAR ROUND ON COMPULSOR REGISTRATION AT THE TOURIST OFFICE. PHONE. : +33.2.99.67.11.66
THE HÔTEL DE VILLE
After the fire of 1720, Jacques Gabriel, architect of King Louis XV, imagine bringing together in a single building, on a new square, the Hôtel de Ville, lthe presidial and the clock tower. Curved, it refers to the building built by the great archiects Le Vau and Hardouin-Mansart. The North wing of the Hôtel de Ville houses the « Rennes Panthéon » erected in memory of the soldiers who died during WW1. In the wedding hall, famous Bretons such as Duguay-Trouin, Laënnec, Renan, Chateaubriand, are part of the decoraion. Look up!
IN SUMMER, FREE GUIDED VISITS ARE OFFERED BY THE TOURIST OFFICE.
THE OPERA
Charles Millardet responds to the curved party of the XVIIIth century of the Hôtel de Ville who faces him, by the rotundity of the one called « The Theatre ». This rounded facade, protected by the muses sculpted by François Lanno, hides in its center a lot of other originalities like a flowerbed, not located on the ground floor, but on the first floor.
The famous 44 steps to access have made the front page of the newspapers of the time! One of the smallest operas of France, discover everything that's big throug its decorations and a rich lyrical programmation!
THE THABOR PARK
A bit of romance and elegance with the discovery of the wonders of the Thabor Park, where even « Hell» is a pleasent green theater. This former garden monks of the Benedicte abbey Saint-Melaine was fitted out by Denis Bühler, famous landscape painter of the paysagiste du XIXth century.
This 10 hectares park allies French garden, English garden, cave, music stand, aviary and an exeptional rose garden with more than 2 000 varieties! Let yourself guided in one of the most beautiful gardens of France.
OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND, SCHEDULES MAY CHANGE WITH THE SEASONS.
THE FINE ARTS MUSEUM
Since 1794, the work of Rennes Fine Arts Museum never stops growing, offering a historic art panorama since the Antiquity to the present day. Let yourself suprised by the impressionism of Gustave Caillebotte, « La Chasse au tigre » by Rubens and « Le nouveau-né » by Georges de la Tour.
INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE: www.mbar.org
PHONE. : +33.2.23.62.17.45
THE CHAMPS LIBRES
Innovative cultural designed by the architect Christian de Portzamparc, The Champs Libres group together in the heart of Rennes: The Brittany Museum, Science area and the Metropolis Library. Exhibitions and installations, visual art, numerical art, literary and artistic performances go hand in hand, helping to make it a real place of cultural effervescence.
INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE: www.leschampslibres.fr
PHONE : +33.2.23.40.66.00