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Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Rennes is the capital of the Brittany region in northwest France, known for its historical landmarks and modern cultural scene. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 220,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Up to 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD, commonly used banks include BNP Paribas and Société Générale. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom, with good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International banks like HSBC and digital banks like N26 are recommended. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and long-term leases through platforms like SeLoger. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, including contactless payments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Cocoon, around €20-€30 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Historic center, especially around Place des Lices. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Beaulieu and Rue de la Monnaie are popular for their vibrant atmosphere and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | L'Atelier des Initiatives, offering a variety of workspaces and networking events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café La Cité, known for its great coffee and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups hosted by Brittany Digital and events via Eventbrite. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Rennes International Meetup group on Facebook. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | G7 and Bolt operate in Rennes for reliable ride services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Vélo Star for bike rentals across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Saint-Malo Beach, about 70 km away, roughly an hour by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Bretagne offers regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and EasyJet operate from Rennes–Saint-Jacques Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A81 and N137 highways connect Rennes to major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Rennes Train Station (Gare de Rennes), well-connected to Paris and other regions. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes available for the STAR public transport network. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train service to nearby cities such as Nantes, Quimper, and Saint-Malo. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hôpital Pontchaillou, the main hospital with a variety of services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Ashtanga Yoga Rennes for yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Neoness for affordable gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatique near the city center. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Galettes de Sarrasin (buckwheat pancakes) are a local specialty. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Crêperie La Fée Gourmande offers excellent vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | La Maison du Kouign-Amann for traditional pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Marché des Lices is the main market with fresh local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.fr and local online stores like Cdiscount. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Carrefour and Leclerc offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rue de la Soif is a popular nightlife street. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie La Parisienne, with tours and tastings available. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Les Fous de Rennes for a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets pop up regularly, especially on weekends. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurant Le Bistronome offers a range of cuisines including Asian and Italian. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Parlement de Bretagne and the Rennes Cathedral. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rennes showcases various art collections. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The ancient city walls are worth a visit. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Saint-Pierre Cathedral is a significant architectural site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Festival des Transmusicales, a famous music festival held annually in December. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Le Quartier des Lices is known for its vibrant cultural life. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Théâtre National de Bretagne hosts various performances year-round. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Les Halles Centrales de Rennes is a popular market for local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Rennes has a lively music scene with venues like L'Ubu hosting diverse acts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city has numerous murals and street art installations around the center. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | La Petite Cuisine offers cooking classes focusing on regional dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Art & Essai for contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Many buildings in the historic center retain their medieval charm. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city is proud of its Breton culture, represented in festivals and traditions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Park du Thabor is a beautiful park for walking and picnics. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Armorique Natural Regional Park is about 1.5 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Canal paths and park trails are available for recreation. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at the top of Mont Saint-Michel offers stunning views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Vilaine River is a good spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas by the Vilaine River have designated bonfire zones. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Chronopost and La Poste offer reliable parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech Shop Rennes, specializing in electronics repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Available at local community centers and parks. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institut Français offers language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Médiathèque Grand Public is great for studying and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centre Socioculturel de Rennes for various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GamingCafe Rennes for a casual gaming environment. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Barrière Rennes for entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €204,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €162,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €248,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 26.5% for most businesses as of 2025. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Max rate of 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, France has CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax based on rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 7.5% for property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax benefits for digital nomads, standard tax rules apply. |