Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Historic neighborhood · Rennes, Bretanha
Vieux Rennes
Rennes' old centre brings together colorful half-timbered houses that escaped the 1720 fire, on streets like Rue du Chapitre and around Place Sainte-Anne.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Vieux Rennes
Le Vieux Rennes is the medieval core of the Breton capital. Rennes has about 290 houses of this type, more than any other town in Brittany.
These houses survived the great fire of 1720, which destroyed much of the city. After the fire, the centre was rebuilt in stone with classical façades, and that is why the contrast between the two Renneses appears on every corner.
The largest concentrations lie west of the town hall: on Rue du Chapitre, Rue du Champ-Jacquet, Rue Saint-Georges, with 17th-century houses, and around Place Sainte-Anne and Place des Lices. Some façades have painted timber and carved busts.
Place Sainte-Anne is the students' meeting point, with bars and crêperies in the old houses. From there you can walk to the cathedral, the Portes Mordelaises and the Saturday market.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours' walk, not counting stops to eat.
Best time
In the morning, to photograph the façades calmly. On Saturday, combine it with the Marché des Lices. At night, Place Sainte-Anne becomes lively.
How to get there
Rennes metro stops at Sainte-Anne station (line A). From Gare de Rennes it's about a 20-minute walk or a few metro stops.
Tip
Follow the route Place Sainte-Anne, Rue du Champ-Jacquet, Place des Lices, Rue du Chapitre and the cathedral: in a few blocks you'll pass the city's oldest houses.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Vieux Rennes
Why are there wooden houses next to stone buildings?
Because the fire of 1720 destroyed much of the centre, which was rebuilt in stone. The half-timbered (enxaimel) houses are those that escaped the fire.
Where are the oldest houses located?
West of the town hall, on Rue du Chapitre, Rue du Champ-Jacquet, Rue Saint-Georges and around the squares Sainte-Anne and des Lices.