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Éco-Hôtels Rennes — Séjours Durables in Brittany's Capital
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Rennes is one of those French cities that rewards the curious traveller with an energy quite unlike anywhere else in the country. As the capital of Brittany, it sits at the intersection of Celtic heritage and contemporary French culture, a place where medieval half-timbered houses lean over cobblestone lanes and a population of 70,000 university students keeps the bars, cafés, and cultural venues buzzing late into the night. This is not a museum-piece city — it is alive, argumentative, creative, and fiercely proud of its Breton identity.
The old town around Place des Lices and Place du Champ-Jacquet is a showcase of colourful pan-de-bois architecture — timber-framed buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, painted in ochres, blues, and reds. Wander south from there and you reach the magnificent Parlement de Bretagne, the 17th-century seat of the former Breton parliament, whose gilded chambers survived a devastating fire in 1994 and were painstakingly restored. Just east of the centre, the Parc du Thabor spreads across 10 hectares of botanical gardens, rose gardens, and shaded walkways — one of the finest urban parks in France.
Every Saturday morning, the Marché des Lices — France's second-largest open-air market — fills Place des Lices with over 300 stalls of Breton produce: oysters from Cancale, galette-saucisse grilled on the spot, artisan cider, farmhouse butter, and cheese from every corner of Brittany. It is the beating heart of the city's food culture and reason alone to time a visit around the weekend.
Beyond the city itself, Rennes is the perfect gateway to the rest of Brittany. Saint-Malo's walled port is an hour north by car, the beaches of the Emerald Coast are barely further, and Mont-Saint-Michel — one of France's most iconic landmarks — is a manageable day trip. The TGV connection to Paris Montparnasse takes just 1 hour 25 minutes, making Rennes one of the most accessible regional capitals in France. Staying here with IMPT means every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere, at no extra cost — a fitting way to explore a region that takes pride in its natural landscapes.
Rennes at a Glance
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Rennes is exceptionally well connected for a city of its size. The TGV high-speed train from Paris Montparnasse delivers you to Gare de Rennes in just 1 hour 25 minutes — faster than driving to many Paris suburbs. The modern station, redesigned by architect Bruno Moinard, is a striking piece of contemporary architecture in its own right and sits within walking distance of the city centre.
Rennes–Saint-Jacques Airport, 7 km southwest of the city, operates domestic flights to cities including Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse, as well as seasonal European routes to destinations in Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean. A bus shuttle connects the airport to the city centre and the Gare in about 20 minutes.
Within the city, the Métro de Rennes (Line A, opened 2002, and Line B, opened 2022) is a driverless automated system that makes getting around quick and efficient. Line A runs roughly north-south through the centre, while Line B connects the west and east of the city. Combined with an extensive bus network, you can reach any part of the metropolitan area without a car.
That said, central Rennes is highly walkable. The compact historic core — from the Gare to the Place du Parlement — is barely a 15-minute stroll, and most attractions, restaurants, and hotels cluster within this area. The pedestrianised streets around Rue Le Bastard and Rue de la Monnaie make shopping and exploring effortless on foot.
For food lovers, the unmissable event is the Saturday morning Marché des Lices — arrive by 9:00 AM to beat the crowds and get the best selection. This is France's second-largest open-air market (after the Marché de Rungis near Paris), with over 300 stalls sprawling across the square. From Cancale oysters shucked to order to galette-saucisse hot off the grill, it is a masterclass in Breton gastronomy.
Day-trippers will find Rennes ideally positioned. Saint-Malo — the dramatic walled corsair city on the coast — is 75 km north (roughly 1 hour by car or regional train). Mont-Saint-Michel, the UNESCO-listed tidal island, lies about 70 km to the northeast and is reachable by car in approximately 1 hour. Fougères, home to one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses, is just 50 km east. And the standing stones of Carnac, the Gulf of Morbihan, and the pink granite coast of Côtes-d'Armor are all within comfortable driving range for longer excursions. Rennes is, in every sense, the launch pad for Brittany.
Où Séjourner — Neighbourhoods
Historic Centre (Vieux Rennes)
The heart of the city, packed with half-timbered medieval buildings, Place du Parlement, the Cathedral, and the best restaurants. Ideal for first-time visitors who want everything on their doorstep. Expect charming boutique hotels in character-filled buildings, with easy walking access to the Marché des Lices and Rue de la Soif.
Gare / Courrouze
The district surrounding the redesigned Gare de Rennes is modern, practical, and well-served by both métro lines. Business hotels and chain properties cluster here, making it the best area for travellers arriving by TGV. The EuroRennes development has added shops, restaurants, and green spaces to what was once a purely transit-focused zone.
Thabor / Saint-Hélier
A leafy, upscale residential neighbourhood east of the centre, anchored by the magnificent Parc du Thabor. Hotels here tend to be quieter and slightly more affordable than the historic core, while still being a short walk from the action. Perfect for travellers who value green space and a calmer atmosphere without sacrificing access.
Chantepie
A suburban commune immediately southeast of Rennes, connected by bus and the B métro line. Chantepie offers modern hotels at lower price points and is well-suited for travellers with a car or those visiting the Rennes technology parks. Several mid-range hotels with free parking make this area popular with road-tripping families.
Hotels in Rennes
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Walking & Trails in Rennes
Historic Centre Walking Tour
Start at Place de la Mairie and follow the medieval lanes through Place du Champ-Jacquet — one of the most photogenic squares in Brittany, ringed by leaning half-timbered houses. Continue north through Rue du Chapitre, past the Cathedral, to the Portes Mordelaises. Loop west through Rue de la Monnaie to Place des Lices, then south through the pedestrianised shopping streets back to your starting point. Along the way you will pass some of the finest examples of pan-de-bois architecture in France, interspersed with independent boutiques, crêperies, and neighbourhood bars.
Parc du Thabor Circuit
Enter the park from its western gate on Rue de Paris and follow the main allée through the French formal gardens — symmetrical parterres clipped to perfection. Bear right into the English-style landscape garden, where winding paths pass beneath mature oaks and chestnut trees. The rose garden, at its peak in June, contains over 2,000 varieties. Continue to the aviary and children's playground, then loop back through the botanical collection. This is a gentle, flat walk perfect for families, runners, or anyone wanting a green break from the city's stone and timber.
Vilaine Riverbank Walk
Follow the banks of the Vilaine river from the city centre southward. Start at the Quai Émile Zola, where the river is channelled beneath the city, and head downstream as it emerges into open air near the Écluse de Saint-Cyr. The towpath is tree-lined and flat, passing through residential neighbourhoods, small parks, and eventually reaching the wetlands of the Bois de Soeuvres. The return journey can be made by Métro Line A from the Henri Fréville station, making this an easy one-way walk with public transport back to the centre.