The photogenic Rue de Chapitre
WHERE TO SLEEP
** Magic Hall Hotel ** _(17 Rue de la Quintaine) _
Lying a stone's throw from place Sainte-Anne , boasts of its innovative reception; since it offers its guests bicycle rides, artistic experiences, music studios, shows and cultural events.
Hotel Saint-Antoine _(27 Avenue Jean Janvier) _
The location of this comfortable hotel makes it ideal for walking to the historical and cultural center of Rennes. It also offers a spa with hammam and swimming pool to end the day of tourism well.
A hotel with a spa to relax at the end of the day
HOW TO VISIT THE CITY
Boat. The P'tits Bateaux allow you to enjoy the city from a different point of view, sailing aboard one of their electric boats (no permit required). as simple as rent them by the hour and get carried away by the waterways of its Vilaine river , a pleasant nautical experience, which admits children.
You will cross the locks, and the République tunnel and you will observe the fauna and flora, leaving the bohemian péniches on the sides. If you prefer, there are guided walks to Baud-Chardonnet, a former industrial site on the banks of the river, in full transformation.
Walking. The Rennes Tourist Office offers all kinds of guided tours. From the hand of a passionate guide, you will make a casual historical tour of its most important monuments, the Parliament of Brittany, the Town Hall Square and the Opera or the Saint-Pierre cathedral.
Do not miss the interesting explanations of the cobbled alleys of the Saint-Georges and Saint-Michel neighborhoods with its colorful medieval half-timbered houses.
You can also follow other tours on ' Unusual Rennes' ; about they ' Hidden Treasures' , its charming inner courtyards; on odoric , the mosaic art of the 19th century or even on the street art.
Then on your own, visit the **Museé des beaux-arts**; the Cultural Center ** Les Champs Libres ** ; ** La Frac de Bretagne **, dedicated to contemporary art or the ** Écomusée du Pays de Rennes **, focused on children.
The historic center will hypnotize you
WHERE TO EAT
La Criee _(Place Honoré Commeurec) _: the first Sunday of the month, Central Market on the left bank of the river , is the must-see for gourmets. Its success is due to the Breton-style food trucks animated by a DJ. Try the traditional galette-saucisse and stroll through the exhibitions at the ** contemporary art center ** in the next building.
Crêperie Saint-Georges _(17 rue Jules Simon) _: this creperie with a contemporary décor serves original combinations such as hot foie gras, pain d'épices and balsamic vinegar; washed down with Breton cider. Among his sweet recipes, the classic one of salted butter caramel and other more audacious ones such as Kinder or Smarties.
shell (16 rue Nantaise Párate) : stop on its terrace to taste a cuisine of fresh products prepared in subtle dishes such as its delicious mackerel with white butter, cress allenois and ratte potatoes.
Chez Pierre, Copains Restaurant _(33 rue Nantaise) _: for a more sophisticated dinner, this cozy restaurant imagines a reduced menu with delicate seasonal products in the form of Low-temperature cochon poitrine with pink garlic, black garlic coulis, peas and carrots.
Coquille's cozy terrace
WHERE TO BUY
On the rue de Chapitre , where Rennes fashion designer brands rub shoulders.
Marché aux puces (Le Mail François Mitterrand) : on the second Sunday of each month, the brocanteurs and bouquinistes who They delight lovers of decoration and second-hand "treasures".
license market _(3 Place du Bas des Lices) _: nestled in a charismatic building from the early 20th century by the architect Martenot, it is the second largest food market in France
Daily, its shops de bouche , surrounded by 17th-century hôtels particuliers, offer seasonal fruit and vegetables, fish and shellfish, Cancale oysters, meat and charcuterie, cheeses, aromatic herbs, breads, wines or Henri Bordier's famous and succulent baratte butter.
In addition, on Saturdays other food and flower stalls are spread around it; a forced rendez-vous to get hold of an apéro of produits de terroir, while improvised Celtic music groups liven up the atmosphere.
The License Market
WHERE TO HAVE A COFFEE
Cherie Cheri _(13 -15, rue Hoche) _: this large concept store is one of the city's trendiest places. made up of a boutique of fashion creators, mostly made in France , and a pleasant café where from the petit-déjeuner to the snack, you can taste roasted Auray.
The Kitchenette _(2 rue Jules Simon) _: all the dishes in this quiet and bright café are homemade, made from fresh and bio and local products, such as their cereals and jams. Sweet tooths will accompany their espresso with a key lime meringue pie, some cookies or a fondant with Valrhona chocolate. And on Sundays they announce brunch.
oh my bug (18 Mail François Mitterrand) : this coffee-shop is perfect for recharging your batteries after long walks. Ask for a vitamin juice or some sweet cheese cake, organic granola or carrot cake.
Place du Champ-Jacquet: this square is an unbeatable spot for a few moments of relaxation in one of the terraces of its bars and cafes, overlooking its beautiful and emblematic facades à pans de bois.
AND A BEER
Origins _(2 rue de l'Hôtel Dieu) _: is the new place to be in Rennes; a bistro-microbrasserie nestled in the old cloister of l'Hôtel-Dieu. This little brewery is a mix of biergarten and brew-pub with the French touch of its bistro cuisine.
Avec & Co. _(1 rue du Breil) _: This trendy place is located in a huge warehouse with a festive atmosphere. It hosts a barbecue restaurant; a bar with a vast selection of beers and spirits; a car and motorcycle repair shop ; a lifestyle clothing and accessories boutique; a barbershop à la ancienne, and even a tattoo parlor.
The ship that has it all
WHERE TO STROLL
Parc du Thabor _(Place Saint-Melaine) _: Have a ballad through the beautiful and vast Parc Thabor; imagined in the 19th century by landscape brothers Denis and Eugène Bühler , who devised a French garden and an English landscape park.
After that, the architect Jean Baptiste Martenot add greenhouses, an orangery, a bandstand and even an aviary; and in the 20th century the waterfalls were added.
The ten hectares of this prestigious garden invite you to wander among its vegetation, your cedars, redwoods, limes or magnolias ; as well as its remarkable trees; its botanical garden and a magnificent rose garden with around 2000 varieties of roses. In addition, children have green areas, a merry-go-round and a play area.
If this little piece of Brittany has conquered you, plant a marinière and continue your route by sea or countryside, heading to Nantes, Dinan, Saint-Malo or the bay of Mont Saint Michel.
The enchanted Parc du Thabor