Rennes

Rennes is the capital of Brittany, the most northwest region in France. A sea and countryside getaway, Brittany is famous for its unique heritage, medieval towns, and seaside villages. Dotted along the blue-green Atlantic coastline, towns like St. Malo, Dinard, and Cancale are long-time summer vacation spots for the French. Needless to say, you have to try the fresh seafood. Offshore, the island of Mont-Saint-Michel rests dreamily amongst the waves. One of the most beloved UNESCO heritage sites in France, this medieval abbey is connected to the mainland by a bridge over a treacherous causeway. Founded by a hermit, the island has a strange history. Once upon a time, pilgrims nicknamed it  "St. Michael in peril of the sea". Today it is known for its ‘salt meadow lamb’, an especially tasty cut of lamb raised on salty ocean grasses.  

Heading inland, you’ll find centuries-old churches, tumbledown cottages, and castles made from stone. Brittany’s ancient rocky landscape is very different from anywhere else in France, and its architecture is often likened to that of England or Ireland. This speaks to the special heritage of the Bretons who descend from a Celtic rather than a Frankish background. People here delight in their own music, culture, and language. Around Brittany, you’ll see signposts in Breton as well as in French, and you might even hear Binioù, the Breton bagpipe playing. In old-world towns like Dinan, the Breton spirit is truly alive. Dinan’s pretty, riverside settlement features a 13th-century rampart wall surrounding the old town. Walking the 1.6-mile perimeter wall, stepping over wildflowers to gaze out at the surrounding countryside, you will feel not just as though you are in a different time, but even in a different France. 

Rennes itself is a tranquil, medium-sized city with a thriving gastronomic scene. The local marketplace, Les Lices, has been selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese for hundreds of years. When you stop by the market be sure to try a ‘Breton Hotdog’ - a sausage wrapped in a pancake. Pancakes, or more specifically savory stuffed galettes and thin, sweet lemony crêpes, are a regional specialty. Like its unique landscape, Brittany’s cuisine is all of its own. Here, they will recommend you wash down your pancakes with a crisp, dry, glass of cider, rather than wine. It is this kind of local variation that pulls both the French and foreigners back to Brittany time and time again. Due to its distinguished heritage, vibrant landscapes, and close proximity to Paris, Rennes, and the Brittany area are an excellent addition to your French experience.