Home >
France >
Car Hire in Rennes
Rennes
On the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers, Rennes dates back to the second century BC. Conquered by Julius Caesar, the city later came under attack from Germanic tribesmen, so some of the strongest fortifications ever built in the Roman Empire were constructed of red clay - giving the city its everlasting nickname of "The Red City". There is a wide range of attractions for the visitor: the 16th century Palais de Justice, which was severely damaged by fire in 1994; the Museum of Brittany and Museum of Fine Arts; and the many half-timbered houses. There are a number of regular markets offering fresh produce, cheeses and seafood which are wholesome and relatively cheap. An antiques market is held in Halles Centrale every Thursday. With a population of 195,000, Rennes is mainly a student city, which is reflected in its vibrant nightlife, based mainly around older town north of the cathedral. For quieter areas and bars, try nearer to the cathedral and along Rue St Georges, near the parliament. To the south-west of Rennes can be found the legendary Enchanted Forest, setting for the quest by the Knights of the Round Table to recover the Holy Grail. Merlin himself was believed to have been an inhabitant of the forest. East of Rennes lies the town of Vitre, with its narrow winding streets, castle and ramparts - probably the best preserved medieval town in Brittany.