Rennes Train Station

About Rennes Train Station

When Rennes Train Station first opened in 1857, it was located some distance from the center of the city. However, the capital of Brittany has grown significantly since then, with the result that the station now occupies a prime position in the center of town. Luckily for travelers who arrive in the city by train, you don’t have to go far from the station to see some of the best of what Rennes has to offer. 

Rennes Train Station is served by the high-speed TGV train line. That means the city can be reached from Paris in only two hours. There are also regular trains to cities throughout France, including Lyon, Montpellier, and Marseilles.

Rennes Train Station functions as the hub for all the city’s public transportation and serves the wider region with regional and intercity trains. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to begin your exploration of Brittany. Just make sure you leave those unneeded bags behind at a luggage storage service near Rennes Train Station first.

Things to do near Rennes Train Station

Rennes is known for its medieval timber-framed houses and charming old town. However, this is no museum. Around a quarter of the city’s residents are students, meaning there’s plenty of nightlife and cultural attractions to indulge in.

• Take a walk on the medieval side in Old Rennes. Close to the Cathedral, you’ll find some of the city’s most attractive timbered houses. Much of the city was destroyed by fire in 1720, but streets such as Rue de la Psalette preserve a glimpse of the way Rennes used to look.
• Get a breath of fresh air at Parc du Thabor. Rennes is known for its abundant green space, but this park is one of the most iconic. Two thousand varieties of roses bloom here in the summer, and it’s a great place to relax from the sometimes frantic pace of the city.
• Explore culture at the Musee des Beaux-Arts. This fine art museum was opened after the French Revolution, when artworks were seized from the abolished nobility and put on display for the people. With pieces by famous artists such as Michelangelo, Rubens, and Gauguin, among others, this museum is a treat for any art lover.
• Scratch your shopping itch at the Marche des Lices. Rennes has over 20 markets, but this one, held since 1622, is the grandest of them all. The third-biggest market in the country, you can find just about anything here, including delicious Breton specialties that make superb souvenirs.
• See the city’s spiritual heart at Rennes Cathedral. There has been a church on the site since the sixth century, but the current Cathedral dates back to the eighteenth. It’s worth visiting just for the Grand Organ, built in 1874.

Transit options near Rennes Train Station

• Rennes can be reached directly from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris via train. The journey takes around three hours.
• Trains from Gare Montparnasse in Paris take just over two hours to reach Rennes, and trains leave every 30 minutes.
• Rennes Train Station is served by the city’s single Metro line, and many of the city’s bus routes stop at the bus station just outside the train station.

Luggage storage at Rennes Train Station

Once you reach Rennes Train Station, the city is your oyster. Within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, the station is also well-connected to the public transportation network, making it easy to reach just about anywhere in Rennes from the station.

Whether you’re walking, catching the Metro, or taking a bus, you’ll have an easier time if you travel light. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage near the station so you can more easily enjoy what the city has to offer.

Attractions and Activities near Rennes Train Station

• See evidence of Brittany’s most distant past at La Roche aux Fees. This impressive 64-foot long passage grave dates back to around 3000 BC and is perfectly aligned with sunrise on the winter solstice. It’s a fascinating place to explore and ponder what life was like in Brittany during the prehistoric period.
• Head for the coast and the former pirate port of St Malo. The ancient walled city is a fascinating place to explore, and it’s also home to great beaches and an expansive aquarium, making it an excellent choice for family vacations. The city makes the perfect place to explore Brittany’s maritime past or just get a drink or a nice meal and watch the world go by.
• Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s most famous heritage sites and a place that draws millions of visitors every year. This medieval city rises out of the mud of a tidal estuary, founded on a small hill that makes it visible from miles away. Wander the cobblestone streets and ancient walls of the city, and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to the Middle Ages.