Cheap flights to Rennes
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Quick summary
Country
France
Continent
Europe
Airport
RNS
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer time)
Deals already spotted to Rennes
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
An airport 5 km south-west, a bus to the centre, and Paris 1 h 30 away by TGV
Rennes-Bretagne (RNS)
Rennes Bretagne Airport is at Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, 5 km south-west of the city according to Wikivoyage (FR). Bus C6 runs to the centre every 12 minutes in daytime according to Wikivoyage (FR), or every 30 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN), which gives a journey of about 20 minutes, so check current frequencies. Wikivoyage (FR) mentions flights from Orly, Roissy, Lyon, London, Marseille, Barcelona, Rome, Toulouse, Porto, Bordeaux and Nice. For travellers landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle, a direct TGV links the airport to Rennes in about 2 h 30 according to Wikivoyage (DE).
Distances and times are approximate, from Wikivoyage (EN, FR, DE, ES) and Wikipedia; timetables change, so check them before you travel. We do not quote fares.
Rennes had 230,890 inhabitants in 2023 according to Wikipedia (EN, FR), making it the eleventh-largest commune in France. Since 2017 the TGV has linked Paris-Montparnasse to Rennes in about 1 h 30 according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR, DE); Wikipedia (EN) says 1 h 27. The station, south of the centre, is a 15-minute walk from the town hall according to Wikivoyage (FR). Rennes is also the junction for TGV services to Brest and Quimper, about 2 h away according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR).
Landmarks
Parlement de Bretagne, Palais du Commerce and half-timbered old Rennes
Rennes is the chief city of Brittany according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR), founded in Gallic times under the name Condate according to Wikipedia (EN, FR). A great fire in 1720 destroyed most of the timber-framed houses in the north of the city, which were rebuilt in stone on a grid according to Wikipedia (EN, ES); pockets survive, notably around Rue Saint-Michel, Place Sainte-Anne and Place des Lices according to Wikivoyage (FR) and Wikipedia (DE). Three places are illustrated; the rest is described in text.
The Parlement de Bretagne and its square
The Parlement de Bretagne, seat of the provincial parliament from the sixteenth century, is the most famous seventeenth-century building in Rennes according to Wikipedia (EN). It was rebuilt after the fire of 1994, which may have been caused by a flare fired during a demonstration according to Wikipedia (EN). The square that bears its name is lined with classical façades, in a district of private mansions.
The Palais du Commerce
On Place de la République, the Palais du Commerce, built from 1885 to 1911 according to Wikipedia (FR), is an imposing building decorated with monumental sculpture according to Wikipedia (ES). It now houses the central post office according to Wikipedia (ES). The République metro station is a few steps away according to Wikivoyage (FR).
The half-timbered houses
In old Rennes the timber-framed houses are sometimes very colourful: Wikivoyage (FR) names Rue Saint-Michel, nicknamed the street of thirst, where tradition says you should have a drink in every bar. Wikipedia (DE) also lists Rue du Champ-Jacquet, Rue du Chapitre, Place Sainte-Anne and Place des Lices.
Cathedral, Porte Mordelaise and the Thabor
Saint-Pierre Cathedral is one of the nine historic cathedrals of Brittany according to Wikivoyage (FR). The Porte Mordelaise is one of the last remains of the medieval ramparts, again according to Wikivoyage (FR). Thabor park, north-east of the centre, is particularly pleasant according to Wikivoyage (FR). Wikivoyage (EN) points out that the town hall and the opera face each other on Place de la Mairie.
Museums and culture
Champs Libres, fine arts and Breton stage
Les Champs Libres and the Musée de Bretagne
The Champs Libres, a surprisingly shaped cultural building, house the Musée de Bretagne, the Espace des sciences and the library according to Wikivoyage (FR). The Musée de Bretagne has occupied a futuristic building since 2006 according to Wikivoyage (EN), and the library's upper floors give a panorama of the city.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts
The fine-arts museum, established in 1794 according to Wikivoyage (EN), holds works confiscated from churches and the private collection of Christophe-Paul de Robien. It stands on Quai Émile-Zola. We quote no admission price.
Festivals and stages
Wikipedia (EN) cites the Transmusicales, Tombées de la Nuit, Mythos, Stunfest and Travelling festivals as well known across France. Programmes change, so check before you go.
Food and drink
Galette-saucisse, crêpes, cider and the Lices market
The galette-saucisse
The galette-saucisse, a grilled sausage wrapped in a buckwheat galette, is Rennes' emblematic dish according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR); fans of Stade Rennais sing about it according to Wikivoyage (EN). Wikivoyage (FR) suggests eating it at the market or on Rue Saint-Hélier on Sundays.
The Lices market
The Lices market, established in 1622 according to Wikivoyage (EN), takes place on Saturday mornings, from 6:00 to 13:30. You can taste Breton produce and drink a bowl of cider according to Wikivoyage (FR). Lait ribot, a fermented milk, sometimes goes with the galette according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Crêperies and districts
Crêperies are plentiful around Place Sainte-Anne according to Wikivoyage (FR, EN). Wikivoyage (FR) says the Saint-Michel district and Place Sainte-Anne are the hub of Thursday-night outings, with about 73,000 students in the city in 2024.
Getting around
Metro, STAR buses, walking and day trips to Saint-Malo
Metro and buses
To reach the centre, Wikivoyage (FR) suggests the metro to République or Sainte-Anne. The STAR bus network has about 65 lines according to Wikivoyage (FR) and also serves the 42 communes of the metropolitan area.
On foot
The walk from the station to the town hall takes about 15 minutes and shows you the city according to Wikivoyage (FR). Many central streets are pedestrian.
Day trips
From Rennes, Saint-Malo is 45 minutes and Mont-Saint-Michel one hour by road according to Wikivoyage (FR). The centre is difficult by car, with one-way streets and few spaces according to Wikivoyage (FR): use the metro park-and-ride lots.
Budget and precautions
A middling cost of living in a big student city
Price level
Rennes is the country's second-largest university city, with nearly 73,000 students in 2024 according to Wikivoyage (FR), with many affordable sandwich shops and crêperies. The currency is the euro. We publish no figures, as sources differ.
Plane or train?
SniperAir monitors flight prices to RNS against the route's history, but does not sell or book tickets. The 1 h 30 TGV from Paris is a serious alternative. Nantes is another airport worth watching.
Precautions
Wikipedia (FR) recalls an armed incident in March 2024 in the centre; in practice, stay alert at night as in any large city. Visitors from abroad should check entry rules for their nationality.
When to go
An oceanic climate drier and sunnier than the Breton coast
Winter (December to February)
Cool and damp, but with fewer rainy days than on the west coast according to Wikipedia (EN, ES).
Spring (March to May)
The city is best seen on foot; the Lices market and the Place Sainte-Anne terraces come to life.
Summer (June to August)
Moderately warm and fairly dry according to Wikipedia (ES); about 3 °C warmer than Brest according to Wikipedia (DE).
Autumn (September to November)
Temperatures fall and rain returns; the Thabor turns colourful.
The climate is oceanic according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES). The annual mean temperature is 11.6 °C for 1971-2000, with 677 mm of rain according to Wikipedia (FR), about half the amount at Quimper according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (EN) gives 1,700 to 1,850 hours of sunshine a year, and Wikipedia (DE) about 300 more than Brest.
By length of stay
What to do in Rennes depending on how long you stay
The essentials
The Parlement de Bretagne, the cathedral, Rue Saint-Michel, Place Sainte-Anne and a galette-saucisse at the market.
Museums and parks
The Champs Libres, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Palais du Commerce and Thabor park.
Day trips
Saint-Malo 45 minutes away and Mont-Saint-Michel one hour away according to Wikivoyage (FR), or Brest by TGV.
In pictures
Rennes in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Rennes
How do I get from Rennes airport to the centre?
The airport (RNS) is 5 km south-west. Bus C6 runs to the centre according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR), taking about 20 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN). Timetables change, so check them.
When is the best time to visit Rennes?
Spring and early autumn for the weather and markets; summer is moderate and rain is possible all year.
Can I take the TGV from Paris?
Yes, since 2017 the trip takes about 1 h 30 according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR, DE).
What should I taste in Rennes?
The galette-saucisse, crêpes and galettes, cider and, on Saturday morning, a walk round the Lices market.
Can I visit Saint-Malo from Rennes?
Yes, according to Wikivoyage (FR) Saint-Malo is 45 minutes away and Mont-Saint-Michel one hour by road.
What are the main sights?
The Parlement de Bretagne, half-timbered old Rennes, the cathedral, the Champs Libres and Thabor park.
How much does a flight to Rennes usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Rennes drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Rennes as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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