Visit the bustling city of Rennes with Premiere Classe Hotels.

Rennes is located in the east of Brittany in north-western France. It is the capital of the region as well as of the Ille-et-Vilaine department. It also lies at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers and is very much a student town with 60,000 of its 200,000 inhabitants students, who help to create the city’s famous vibrant nightlife.

In the year 275 the threat of barbarians led to the erection of a robust brick wall around Rennes. In 1491, the French unsuccessfully attacked Rennes, with Brittany having already capitulated elsewhere. The defenders of the city were determined to resist to the death, but the Duchess Anne of Brittany chose instead to negotiate. By her marriage to Charles VIII, she made Brittany a part of France. In 1720, a big fire destroyed all timber framing houses in the northern part of the city. The rebuilding was made of stone, on a grid plan. From 1954 onwards, the city developed extensive building plans to accommodate upwards of 220,000 inhabitants helping it become the third fastest-growing city in France, after Toulouse and Montpellier.

A two-day trip
Two days is just about enough time to get to know the city of Rennes. Premiere Classe Rennes Est – Cesson Hotel is just a short walk from the city centre while Premiere Classe Rennes Sud – Chantepie Hotel and Premiere Classe Rennes Sud – Saint Jacques Hotel are just a short taxi ride away. One of the highlights of the city is the Parc du Thabor which boasts a stunning collection of plants and birds. Follow this up with a night on Rue Saint Michel where there are bars everywhere you look. For your second day why not stroll around the city, taking in all its famous sights, such as Parlement de Bretagne, the Rennes Cathedral and the city hall.

A one-week break
A week is the perfect amount of time to really get to know the city of Rennes. Take a visit to the amazing La Roche-aux-Fees – France’s version of Stonehenge. Another must see are the remains of the ramparts, built from the 3rd to 12th centuries and were largely destroyed between the 16th and 18th centuries. To the south of the city centre a mix of lovely old 19th century buildings can be seen while the Fine Arts Museum is located nearby and is well worth a visit. For sports fans Rennes FC play football in the city and their matches are an exhilarating experience.

A family holiday
Rennes is the perfect place to take the whole family. Whether it is taking dance classes at Fun Club 35, taking a trip to the Le Blizz ice-rink or visiting the fantastic Les Champs Libre – in which you’ll find museums, cafes and a planetarium – there is truly something for everybody !

Transport
Rennes is served by Rennes Airport, which is less than 5km away from the city centre, and offers flights to and from such places as Southampton, Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin and Cork. The number 57 bus connects it to the city. The city’s train station offers TGV trains to Paris taking just over two hours as well as to the likes of Lille, Nantes, Brest and Quimper. If you are driving then the E50 heads towards Paris, the E3 towards Nantes and the E50 towards Brest. Rennes also has an excellent bus and metro system to navigate the city.

Gastronomy
The food of the Brittany region is characterised by its simplicity and the quality of products used. Due to its extensive coastline and number of fishing ports, such as Saint Malo, seafood is on most restaurant menus. The Breton seafood platter is a favourite, comprising crabs, oysters, clams, whelks, shrimps and prawns, served on a bed of seaweed. The Breton Seafood Platter Charter guarantees the freshness and variety of the platters. Other typical Breton specialties include ‘crepes’ and ‘galettes’ (buckwheat pancakes), as well as the ‘Breton Far’ (a flan based on eggs and milk).

Events
Rennes has an eclectic mix of cultural events and festivities throughout its calendar year. The biggest by far is Les Tombees de la Nuit in July which is an art festival taking place along the city’s streets. Due to Rennes’ strong student population the student festival of Rock’n Solex has been going for over 40 years and is a mix of music and solex races. Other highlights include Mythos, the festival of the arts of word in April and Quartiers d’ete in July – an outdoor festival featuring concerts, cinema and animations.

Interesting fact
Rennes'many industrial products include textiles, leather goods, machinery, automobiles, electronic equipment, and petroleum.

Useful links
http://www.tourisme-rennes.com/en/home.aspx
http://www.rennet.org/tourism/guideng/welcome.htm
http://www.lestombeesdelanuit.com/