Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #1 in Rennes, France

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Tour Facts

Number of sights 22 sights
Distance 4.3 km
Ascend 76 m
Descend 99 m

Experience Rennes in France in a whole new way with our free self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Activities in RennesIndividual Sights in Rennes

Sight 1: Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine

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Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine is a French abbey church located in Rennes — in the extension of the rue Saint-Melaine, in the northeastern part of the center of the medieval city — in the French department of Ille-et-Vilaine in the Brittany region. It is bordered on its south façade by the western end of the Thabor Park.

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

213 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 2: Palais Saint-Melaine

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The Palais Saint-Melaine, former seat of the Archbishopric of Rennes, is a palace located on Place Saint-Melaine in Rennes, on the western edge of the Thabor Park.

Wikipedia: Palais Saint-Melaine (FR)

326 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 3: Hôtel de Cuillé

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The Hôtel de Cuillé is a private mansion located in Rennes, 2 contour de la Motte, east of the Centre district, backing onto the Square de La Motte.

Wikipedia: Hôtel de Cuillé (FR)

134 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 4: Square de la Motte

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The Square de la Motte, formerly called "Promade de la Motte overlooking the Vilaine", is a garden located in Rennes near the city center.

Wikipedia: Square de La Motte (FR)

127 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 5: Hôtel du Bon Pasteur

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The Bon Pasteur barracks, also known as the Bon Pasteur hotel, is a building located at 5 rue Martenot in Rennes, opposite the square de La Motte.

Wikipedia: Caserne du Bon Pasteur (FR)

66 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 6: Hôtel de Courcy

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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)

64 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 7: Chapelle des Carmes

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The Carmelite Chapel of Rennes is the former chapel of the Discalced Carmelite convent of Rennes, in the commune of Rennes, in Ille-et-Vilaine, which has now become the Evangelical Church of Thabor.

Wikipedia: Chapelle des Carmes (Rennes) (FR)

148 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 8: Piscine Saint-Georges

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Piscine Saint-Georges L’auteur n’a pas pu être identifié automatiquement. Il est supposé qu'il s'agit de : Bramstercate (étant donné la revendication de droit d’auteur). / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Saint-Georges swimming pool is a municipal swimming pool built between 1923 and 1926 in Rennes in the French department of Ille-et-Vilaine in the Brittany region.

Wikipedia: Piscine Saint-Georges (FR)

199 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 9: Palais Saint-Georges

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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)

194 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 10: Hôtel de Chalain

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The Grand Hôtel de Chalain is a private mansion located at 15, rue Saint-Georges in Rennes.

Wikipedia: Grand hôtel de Chalain (FR)

102 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 11: Église Saint-Germain

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Saint-Germain is a parish church in Rennes, located in the new town, bordered on its southern side by the Place Saint-Germain. Parish of rich merchants and then of 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

241 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 12: Opéra de Rennes

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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

203 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 13: Rennes

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Rennes Édouard Hue (User:EdouardHue) / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Rennes City Hall is an 18th-century administrative building located in Rennes, France.

Wikipedia: Mairie de Rennes (FR)

178 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 14: Basilique Saint-Sauveur

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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)

125 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 15: Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

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Rennes Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Rennes, France. It has been a monument historique since 1906.

Wikipedia: Rennes Cathedral (EN)

379 meters / 5 minutes

Sight 16: Tour Duchesne

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

Wikipedia: Tour Duchesne (FR)

239 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 17: Église Saint-Étienne

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Église Saint-Étienne Édouard Hue (User:EdouardHue) / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Church of Saint-Étienne de Rennes is a Roman Catholic church located in Rennes.

Wikipedia: Église Saint-Étienne de Rennes (FR)

382 meters / 5 minutes

Sight 18: Le Jeu de Paume

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

Wikipedia: Jeu de paume de Rennes (FR)

306 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 19: Hôtel de Robien

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The Hôtel de Robien is a private mansion located in the city center of Rennes in Ille-et-Vilaine, located at 22 rue du Champ-Jacquet and 17 rue Le-Bastard.

Wikipedia: Hôtel de Robien (FR)

264 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 20: Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle

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Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle Édouard Hue (User:EdouardHue) / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle is a minor Catholic basilica located in the city center of Rennes, Brittany, on the Place Sainte-Anne.

Wikipedia: Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle de Rennes (FR)

77 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 21: Centre des congrès de Rennes Métropole

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The Jacobin Convent, 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 conventual buildings.

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

329 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 22: Théâtre du Vieux Saint-Étienne

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Théâtre du Vieux Saint-Étienne

The Théâtre du Vieux Saint-Étienne is a theatre in Rennes.

Wikipedia: Théâtre du Vieux Saint-Étienne (FR)

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

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