Destination – the North-West (Rennes) Let’s go! Switzerland to Rennes by train in a jiffy

• Rennes is a city bursting with colour. Don’t believe us? Take a stroll through the city following the mosaic trail. And yes, Rennes does have a touch of Italian flair thanks to the Odorico family, who settled in the west and adorned the city with vibrant mosaics. You can join a guided tour run by the Tourist Office to discover all these unique works, or explore on your own, taking in Rue Paul Bert, the Saint-Georges swimming pool, the Criée market and the Valton building. Get ready for a visual feast. 

• Thabor Park is a remarkable green space built over ten hectares. It’s a French-style park featuring English-style gardens, rose gardens, mini waterfalls and a botanic garden, and is a wonderful place to stroll around, winter or summer. Locals love it as a place to picnic and visitors adore the biodiversity they encounter as they wander round it.
• On Saturday morning, head for the city’s nerve centre: the Lices market. It’s the second-biggest market in France and offers a vast array of regional produce of all types, including seafood straight from the ocean. The real draw, however, is the atmosphere and, of course, a sausage galette to round off the morning. This Breton speciality is a must-try: a buckwheat pancake wrapped around a pork sausage, served with mustard and a bowl of cider. Now you’re a true Rennes local!
• Have you heard of half-timbered houses? In the medieval streets of Rennes, there are more than 300 such dwellings. As you wander round, take in the exteriors of these colourful houses and imagine how charming they must be inside. For a particularly striking view, go to Rue du Chapitre, which features a mix of all styles. We have a particular soft spot for the façade of the Hôtel de l’Escu.
• Less than an hour’s drive away, Brocéliande Forest is a place of enduring secrets. You’ve probably heard of this magical forest, which is steeped in myth and has a story all of its own. Home to fairies, the legend of King Arthur, Merlin the magician... Brocéliande is said to have witnessed its fair share of mystical creatures and heroes. Today, you can lose yourself along its pathways and trails, seeking out a bit of legend and enjoying a lovely hike! 

• The skid road holds the record for bars per square meter in France
• The narrowest house in Rennes is 2 meters wide
• Rennes was the smallest city in the world to have a metro, it was even automated!

Rennes in Figures