14 Sights in Rennes, France (with Map and Images)

The Basilica of Saint-Sauveur in Rennes is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic church, dedicated to Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues, located in the heart of the historic city of Rennes in Brittany, France. The church was founded under the name of Saint-Sauveur before the 11th century. Expanded several times and rebuilt in the early 18th century, it was the seat of a parish for nearly three hundred years, until the Second World War, and again from 2002. Following several events described as miraculous in the 14th and 18th centuries, the cult of Mary developed strongly in this church, culminating in its elevation to a basilica in 1916. The building is classical in style and is particularly noteworthy for its furnishings: the baldachin of the high altar, the wrought iron pulpit, the organ, as well as the numerous ex-votos left by the faithful.

Wikipedia: Basilica of Saint-Sauveur (Rennes) (EN)

The Théâtre national de Bretagne is a cultural institution established in Rennes in 1990 by combining the Centre dramatique de l'Ouest and the Maison de la Culture of Rennes. For some time it was called the "Great Eight" due to the shape of its building. Its mission is centered on creation, dissemination and training at regional, national and international levels. In 2002 it attained the status of European center of dance and theater production. Its director is Arthur Nauzyciel. He also runs the school along with French actor Laurent Poitrenaux. Every year in November the TNB organizes a festival called "Le Festival du TNB" and formerly called "Mettre en scène" (staging).

Wikipedia: Théâtre National de Bretagne (EN), Website

The Duchesne Tower is a 15th-century tower located near the Porte Mordelaise in Rennes, in the French department of Ille-et-Vilaine in the region of Brittany. It takes its name from Jehan du Chesne, the great doorman of Rennes and the first inhabitant of the tower, who was responsible for opening and closing the gates of the city. Integrated into the Hôtel d'Artillerie, the tower has been listed as a historical monument since 13 March 1944. Offered for sale by the State, it was purchased in March 2023 by Rennes Métropole.

Wikipedia: Tour Duchesne (FR)

The Church of All Saints or All Saints, formerly the church of the college run by the Jesuits, is a religious building and place of worship in Rennes, in the Baroque counter-Reformation style, located south of the Vilaine, rue du Capitaine-Alfred-Dreyfus. Designed from 1624 to 1651 as the church of the Collège Saint-Thomas, this building became a parish church in 1803, replacing the old church of All Saints, which was 300 metres away.

Wikipedia: Église Toussaints de Rennes (FR)

The Saint George Palace is an historic building in the city of Rennes. Formerly an abbey residence, it was built in 1670 to replace a much older abbey building that stood on the same site. The Benedictine Abbey of Saint George was forced to close in 1792 during the French Revolution and the property was seized by the government. Since 1930 the building has been listed as a monument historique of France.

Wikipedia: Saint George Palace (EN)

Saint-Germain is a parish church in Rennes, France, France. A parish of wealthy mercantile merchants and then parliamentarians, the building is in the flamboyant Gothic style. It was erected for the most part from the fifteenth century to the seventeenth century. It preserves the oldest stained-glass window in Rennes as well as quality organs.

Wikipedia: Église Saint-Germain de Rennes (FR), Website

Parc Oberthür is a landscaped public botanical garden located east of the centre of Rennes, in the French department of Ille-et-Vilaine in the region of Brittany. Its name is inherited from the Oberthür family, in particular from François-Charles Oberthür who created it and his wife Marie Hamelin.

Wikipedia: Parc Oberthür (FR)

The Plages de Baud are a green space in Rennes, located on the banks of the Vilaine to the east of the city centre, inaugurated in June 2019. This green space, made up of play and relaxation areas but without a swimming area despite its name, is part of the new Baud-Chardonnet development area.

Wikipedia: Plages de Baud (FR)

The Petit Hôtel de Chalain is a private mansion located at 13, rue Saint-Georges in Rennes. It dates from the seventeenth century, built on three floors, it is attached to the grand Hôtel de Chalain dating from the eighteenth century and now the presbytery of the Saint-Germain church.

Wikipedia: Petit Hôtel de Chalain (FR)

The Opéra de Rennes is an Italian-style opera house located in downtown Rennes, France. It was designed by Charles Millardet and built by Pierre Louise. It was inaugurated in 1836. It is located on Place de la Mairie, forming the main eastern side of the square opposite the town hall.

Wikipedia: Opéra de Rennes (EN), Website

Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine is a French abbey church located in Rennes, in the north-eastern part of the centre of the medieval city, in the French department of Ille-et-Vilaine in the region of Brittany. It is bordered on its south façade by the western end of the Parc du Thabor.

Wikipedia: Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine (FR)

The Jeu de Paume is a building located to the west of the Centre district of Rennes, at 12, rue Saint-Louis. It is the only surviving building of the former major seminary of the Eudists founded in 1670 and one of the oldest raised jeu de paume buildings preserved in France.

Wikipedia: Jeu de paume de Rennes (FR)

Hôtel de Courcy is a private mansion located in Rennes, 9 rue Martenot, opposite the La Motte square and near Parc du Thabor. Built in around 1830, it was the property of several families of Rennes before being transferred to the State during the 20th century.

Wikipedia: Hôtel de Courcy (EN)

The Couvent des Jacobins, also known as the former convent of Bonne-Nouvelle, is a former religious building and barracks, located in the city centre of Rennes. It includes a church, a cloister and convent buildings.

Wikipedia: Couvent des Jacobins (Rennes) (FR), Website