RENNES
Brittany’s capital
Rennes, a City of Art and History, is only 2 hours away from Paris by train and 1 hour from the Channel and Atlantic beaches. Add it to your list of places to visit and you won’t be disappointed!

Rennes, a City of Art and History

• Brittany’s parliament building - the Parlement de Bretagne - is a major landmark of Breton heritage and boasts a gilt coffered ceiling in its Grand’Chambre or main chamber. This ceiling, unique in France, is a fine example of 17th century pictorial art.

• Many colourful 15th - 17th century timber-framed houses add to the charm of the mediaeval streets and enhance the lovely atmosphere of Brittany’s capital town.

• The Thabor gardens, a magnificent landscaped park stretching over an area of 10 hectares in the centre of the city, has its origins in the 17th century: at that time it was a garden adjoining the Saint-Melaine Abbey. At the end of the 18th century it became a promenade reserved exclusively for men. It was enlarged in the second half of the 19th century by Denis Bühler, a renowned landscape architect, who would go on to design the Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon.

• The Champs Libres - This new cultural centre, characterised by purple schist, concrete and glass, was designed by Christian de Portzamparc and houses the Musée de Bretagne, the Espace des Sciences with its planetarium, and the library.

• Don’t miss the 18th century royal squares, the Oberthür garden, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, or Fine Arts Museum (De la Tour, Rubens, Picasso, etc.) or the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes museum.

Rennes and entertainment
Rennes offers a rich and varied programme of cultural and sporting activities, and the year is marked by all kinds of festivals and events – Transmusicales musical festival, Tombées de la Nuit street entertainment and Mythos story-telling festival, not forgetting of course the Opéra, Orchestre de Bretagne or Théâtre National de Bretagne. Rennes really is a lively city all year round.

Rennes and food
Thanks to the quality and variety of its produce, Brittany is France’s second gastronomic region when it comes to chefs listed in national food guides. The annual Festival Gourmand, which promotes regional flavours, expertise and creativity and brings together a hundred or so chefs from Rennes and the surrounding area, is proof of this dynamism.

Locals and tourists alike can find quality produce at one of the city’s many markets, such as Le Marché des Lices, one of the largest and most beautiful in France, or the daily market in the splendid halles centrales.

Rennes and shopping
With its many quality names and numerous pedestrian streets ideal for browsing or window-shopping, Rennes is the shopping capital of Brittany.

Tips

• The “Rennes Metropolitan District City Pass” is a real invitation to discover Rennes, and is on sale at the Tourist Information Centre for just €13.
• Use ALLOVISIT, the mobile phone guided tour service: Available in French and English, this system provides a lively and straightforward introduction to the city, 24/7.

WHAT’S ON…

Rennes, Jazz Festival
2009 – August 28, 29, 30 : Rennes/ Le Rheu - Parc du Château d'Apigné au Rheu
First edition of this international festival.
Prestigious artists are expected: Diana Krall, Keith Jarret, Saint-Germain, Sonny Rollins…
www.rennesjazzfestival.com

Les Tombées de la Nuit - sons publics
Beginning of July 2009
Originally street theatre shows and musical events of all styles around the city in unusual, seldom used places.
www.lestombeesdelanuit.com

SPECIAL OFFERS

A family outing in Rennes "Head in the stars and feet on ice"
All year round on week-ends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
2 days / 1 night or 3 days/ 2 nights in a 2* (112 euros, 1 night / 191 euros, 2 nights) or a 3* hotel (136 euros, 1 night / 222 euros, 2 nights)
The price is based on 2 adults and 2 children under 8 years old.
This package includes:
- Saturday afternoon at the Champs Libres Science Centre
2.30 to 3.30pm: activities in Merlin's Laboratory
3.30 to 5.15pm: unguided tour of the Eurêka and Earth rooms
5.30 to 6.30pm: at the Planetarium
- Sunday: entry to the ice rink plus skate hire
- One or two nights in a hotel with breakfast.

Transport Tourist tax and transfers are extra.

Make exciting discoveries on a fun-packed day out with the family.
On the Saturday, budding scientists can try their hand at some thirty fun experiments, while their parents brush up on scientific theory in Merlin's Laboratory at the Champs Libres Science Centre.
Next stop is a remarkable journey to the centre of the universe live from the Planetarium, where you can discover some fascinating secrets.
Laughter, surprise and amazement are all part of the programme!
On the Sunday, parents and children can enjoy free time skating at the Blizz ice rink.

Rennes Metropolitan District Tourist Information Centre
11 rue Saint-Yves
35064 RENNES CEDEX
Tel : + 33 (0)2 99 67 11 08
Fax : + 33 (0)2 99 67 11 10
e-mail : infos@tourisme-rennes.com
Book your weekend in Rennes:
Directly online: www.tourisme-rennes.com

Discovering Rennes - Brittany’s capital
All year round on week-ends and Bank holidays (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
2 days/ 1 night or 3 days/ 2 nights for 2 persons in a double room (including breakfast)
2* hotel: € 44: 1 night / € 68: 2 nights
3* hotel: € 55: 1 night / € 92: 2 nights
4* hotel: € 82 1 night / €148 2 nights.

This package includes:
• 2 Rennes Metropole City Passes
This pass, which is valid for 2 days, combines:
• Free admission to the cultural sites not to be missed in Rennes, such as The Champs Libres (Museum of Brittany, Scientific cultural Centre), the Fine Arts Museum, Rennes Ecomuseum and the Telecommunications Museum. You can choose between a guided tour of Rennes or stately Parlement building.
• Reductions for leisure activities, shows and concerts.
• Reduced fares for bus and metro

Transport Tourist tax and transfers are extra.

Come and discover Rennes, Brittany’s capital
With the Rennes Metropole City Pass you will be free to explore the Metropolitan District of Rennes and will enjoy special guest privileges.

Rennes Metropolitan District Tourist Information Centre
11 rue Saint-Yves
35064 RENNES CEDEX
Tel : + 33 (0)2 99 67 11 08
Fax : + 33 (0)2 99 67 11 10
e-mail : infos@tourisme-rennes.com

Book your weekend in Rennes: www.tourisme-rennes.com

Transport Partner
Flybe

This summer fly direct to Rennes with Flybe. Flights from Manchester, Southampton, Exeter, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Belfast. Book now at Flybe.com
www.flybe.com