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Guide
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. |