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Major city · France

RennesRoazhon

Give Rennes one full day plus a second for a day trip: base in the centre, walk the old town, and use it as a rail hub for Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel.

Rennes is the capital of Brittany and a university city of about 220,000, rebuilt in stone after the 1720 fire, with a compact walkable centre and two metro lines. Most travellers use it as a one- or two-night rail base between Paris and the Breton coast. It is a working city rather than a postcard town, and that is the point.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (crowds on the coast, not the city), mid-August closures
Airports
RNS · CDG · NTE
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
  • France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
  • France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
  • France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
  • France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
  • France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Rennes112 ▾
  • European emergency number112
  • Ambulance (SAMU)15
  • Police17
  • Fire18
  • By text, for deaf callers114

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Rennes, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee at a bar counter€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
  • Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range, per person without wine€25–40 (≈ US$30–50)
  • Street or quick mealGalette-saucisse from a market stall€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
  • BeerDraught beer in a bar / can from a shop€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
  • Metro or bus rideSingle metro or bus ticket€1.50 (≈ US$2) (check)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€28 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, budget hotel or chain, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedDouble room, budget hotel or chain, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Parlement de BretagneHalf-timbered old town east of the cathedralParc du ThaborGalettes and galette-saucisseLes Transmusicales festival
Airports
RNS Rennes Bretagne (Saint-Jacques) (6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of the centre; bus C6 runs to the city about every 30 min, roughly 20 min to the art museum stop on Quai Émile Zola (check)) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (Global connections; TGV from the airport area to Rennes, or RER into Paris and change at Montparnasse) · NTE Nantes Atlantique (Alternative airport with a similar low-cost mix; about 1 h 20 min by train from Nantes to Rennes)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  5. May

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    24°C (75°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    24°C (75°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Rennes: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

9°C (48°F)

3°C (37°F)

13 rd

Feb

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

11 rd

Mar

13°C (55°F)

4°C (39°F)

11 rd

Apr

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

10 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

10 rd

Jun

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Jul

24°C (75°F)

14°C (57°F)

8 rd

Aug

24°C (75°F)

14°C (57°F)

8 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

9°C (48°F)

12 rd

Nov

12°C (54°F)

6°C (43°F)

13 rd

Dec

9°C (48°F)

3°C (37°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk the centre: cathedral to Parlement is about 10 min, cathedral to Thabor about 15 min. Star metro and buses cover the rest; metro A runs northwest–southeast and metro B northeast–southwest, both through Gares and Sainte-Anne. Bikes are easy, with docking stations across the city. Do not drive into the centre: many streets are restricted and parking is scarce.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Saint-Malo

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

TER regional train from Gare de Rennes, about 1 h, hourly

Walled port city; go early, the ramparts and beach fill by midday in summer.

Mont-Saint-Michel

go

Door to door: About 2 h

Train to Pontorson then shuttle bus, or a direct coach in season

A full day; check the tide times before you book and wear shoes with grip.

Vitré

go

Door to door: About 45 min

TER regional train from Gare de Rennes, about 30 min

Castle and medieval streets; half a day is enough.

Dinard

caution

Door to door: 1.5–2 h

Train to Saint-Malo then bus across the Rance, or a BreizhGo coach

Better as a summer beach day; the connection is fiddly outside July–August.

Montfort-sur-Meu

caution

Door to door: About 45 min

BreizhGo coach or TER from Rennes

Small town on the canal; only worth it if you want a quiet walk.

Bédée

skip

Door to door: About 1 h

BreizhGo coach from Rennes

Village with no draw for a short trip; skip unless you have family there.

Talensac

skip

Door to door: About 1 h

BreizhGo coach from Rennes

Rural village; not a day trip in its own right.

Iffendic

skip

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

BreizhGo coach from Rennes

Lakeside village; only with a car and a specific reason.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Centre / Place Sainte-Anne

Old town, cathedral, bars and the tourist office; walk to everything, metro A and B at Sainte-Anne.

Around Gare de Rennes

Cheapest beds and the transport hub; 1 km (0.6 mi) walk north to the historic centre, metro at Gares.

Place des Lices / Rue Saint-Georges

Central eating and nightlife, Saturday market on the doorstep; noisier at weekends.

Thabor / Saint-Melaine

Quieter residential edge by the park and university; 10–15 min walk to the centre.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
Mid
€90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
High
€160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room, budget hotel or chain1 × 2 nights × €120€240
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €100€400
Airport bus C6, both ways2 × €6 · check€12
Star one-day transport pass2 × €4 · check€8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15€30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€69
Trip total≈ €190 per person per day, bed included€759≈ US$900

2026 estimate in euros; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee at a bar counter€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
Galette (savoury buckwheat crêpe)€6–12 (≈ US$7–14)
Galette-saucisse from a market stall€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
Lunch menu (formule) in the centre€15–22 (≈ US$18–30)
Dinner, mid-range, per person without wine€25–40 (≈ US$30–50)
Draught beer in a bar / can from a shop€5–8 (≈ US$6–10) / €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
Single metro or bus ticket€1.50 (≈ US$2) (check)
5 km taxi ride€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Rennes is a safe city by day and mostly at night; the real issues are rain, closed kitchens on Sunday and Monday, and late-night noise around the student bars. Keep to lit streets near Sainte-Anne and the station after midnight.
  • It can rain any day, year-round: pack a light waterproof rather than an umbrella that turns inside out.
  • Many restaurants and small shops close on Sunday and Monday, and parts of August.
  • The centre is bar-heavy on Thursday nights in term time; expect noise around Sainte-Anne and Rue Saint-Michel.
  • Pickpockets work the station and market crowds; keep bags zipped in front.
  • Metro and bus stop around 00:30, later on Thursday to Saturday; plan the last ride or a taxi.

Emergency numbers

European emergency number
112
Ambulance (SAMU)
15
Police
17
Fire
18
By text, for deaf callers
114

Pocket card

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RennesRoazhon

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please

Emergency

  • European emergency number112
  • Ambulance (SAMU)15
  • Police17
  • Fire18
  • By text, for deaf callers114

Embassy

No embassies in Rennes; the US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Irish embassies are in Paris. The US has no consulate in Rennes (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport (RNS) → centre, bus C6: about €3 (≈ US$4), roughly 20 min (check)
  • Gare de Rennes → Sainte-Anne, metro: €1.50 (≈ US$2), about 5 min (check)
  • Rennes → Saint-Malo, TER: about €15–20 (≈ US$18–25), about 1 h (check)
  • Rennes → Paris Montparnasse, TGV: from about €30 (≈ US$35) if booked early, 1 h 30 min (check)

Say or show

  • Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-ZHOOR)
  • Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
  • S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
  • C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-BYEN)
  • L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
  • Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo ahn-GLEH)

Service is included by law in French cafés and restaurants; round up or leave 5–10% for good service. Tap water is free on request.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rennes. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds on the coast, not the city), mid-August closures · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 8 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for RNS: last bus C6 departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Sainte-Anne and the old town, Parlement and République, Thabor and Saint-Melaine, the station and Les Champs Libres.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Musée de Bretagne, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Parlement tours, Thabor) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Rail-hub fixtures for Saint-Malo, Mont-Saint-Michel and Vitré so day-trip gates can go green.

Sources