The magnificent town of Rennes which dates back to the second century
B.C. is now the regional capital of Brittany.
The town itself offers a diverse range of attractions for the
visitor. These include a wide range of architectural styles, art
galleries, museums,the cathedral, remnants of the ancient
fortifications and of course excellent shopping facilities. Thoughout
the year there is an important schedule of concerts, opera, ballet
and theatre at very reasonable prices
The visitor of course is free to discover the town at his own pace
but a useful introduction to the town can be to take one of the
themed guided tours proposed by the tourist office which are
available all year round.
Rennes has a vibrant young feel to it due to its large student
population; Rennes has two universities and a medical school along
with numerous specialized schools. The nightlife tends to be in the
cafés and bars which frequently offer entertainment in the
form of traditional Breton music
In the countryside around Rennes the visitor can take time out to
appreciate the calm and beauty of the surroundings. The Rennes
Forest, which is a State forest offers walks of incredible beauty and
is well organized with rest points and picnic areas.
See also, Broceliand: The Enchanted Forrest
Vitre
Vitre lies 35km east of Rennes its castle, ramparts and narrow
winding streets make it probably the best preserved medieval town in
Brittany. The castle is on the original 11th century site although it
was extensively rebuilt and fortified in the 13th and 15th centuries.
The Silverware Tower (Tour de l'Argenterie) houses a museum
displaying works of art, archeology, ethnographic and natural history exhibits.
The Church of Our Lady (l'Eglise de Notre Dame) built in the
15th century is an excellent example of flamboyant Gothic
Architecture and has some superb Renaissance stained glass windows.
The local tourist office offers guided tours of the town and castle
and in the summer months you can take a night tour of the town.