There's gunpowder in the air…

A great fireworks display will be taking place in your commune! This fantastic, explosive event will light up your night and leave stars in your eyes and bells in your ears... You will be in awe of what these pyrotechnic masters can achieve.

Young and old will look to the skies in wonder and amazement.

A beach town in the city.

This concept has become an international movement, travelling to Japan, Berlin, Brussels and Budapest. Rennes changed the title, but the recipe is the same everywhere you go.

Grab 150 deckchairs, the ones with blue/green and white stripes which cost 2 pound on the beach in Bournemouth. Plant palm trees along the road, in Cannes style, and serve some piping hot mint tea like a true Bedouin. There you have it, Transat en Ville on the Town Hall square.

This beach-town in the city is dedicated to dozing, reading airport books and gossip in unhealthy amounts. For a whole week, enjoy lazing at the beach without the annoying sand between your toes. And by nightfall, organisers have scheduled an interesting program of activities so there is always something to do!

A classic on the Emerald Coast.

Dinard is a homely town and a major beach resort. With its beautiful scenic landscapes and architecture, it is the perfect site for this international classical music festival that takes place there every year.

The event brings together some of the best performers in the field and draws large crowds, in part because a number of concerts are completely free of charge.

Thrift shopping at its finest…

For a whole day, enjoy the idle joys of bargaining and shopping right there in the street - hunt for the perfect deal or that one missing piece from your collection, all in a warm, friendly atmosphere!

A great way to enjoy shopping with the whole family!

Professional amateurs…

The In fine, Sans réserve exhibit is made up of 40 or so works that span from the 15th to the 20th century.

There is no overriding theme or historic timeline. The group was free to organise the display space along their own rules: parallels, a taste for this or that, a dialogue between the works… This subjective, almost whimsical approach is backed by serious, extensive documentation for each piece.

The group-members are not professionals and yet each has his own experience, his point of view as a spectator, and this provides a solid method for the elaboration of a display space which gives visitors the best possible experience…

Art and artistry.

This event will allow you to experience art and crafts in all shapes and sizes, all colours and styles…

Every kind of skill and every form of creation has a place here, whether on wood, canvas or metal; whether woven, carved or sewn; whether baked, assembled, chiselled, painted, brushed, moulded…

Photo-ethnography…

This exhibition of forty large-scale black and white photographs, introduced by Pierre de Vallombreuse, appears a moving homage to the Gwitchin, a community of Native Alaskans that has to fight for survival every day.

This exhibition is a part of Vallombreuse's overriding photo project entitled "Hommes Racine" (or "Root Men"). This massive undertaking represents 5 years of exploration and dialogue; 12 indigenous peoples, 12 completely different environments - 12 examples of how climate change can affect human lives.

The "Hommes Racine" project is a photographic journey, an awakening. It aims to depict the intimate connection between man and his environment and in doing so promotes a sustainable vision of humanity, where nature is protected in the name of human life.

There's gunpowder in the air…

A great fireworks display will be taking place in your commune! This fantastic, explosive event will light up your night and leave stars in your eyes and bells in your ears... You will be in awe of what these pyrotechnic masters can achieve.

Young and old will look to the skies in wonder and amazement.

From dusk till dawn…

A variety of factors led to the first ever Tombées de la Nuit Festival. The city of Rennes was, in artistic terms, open to offer; the infrastructure was adequate for the complex process of creation; the urban environment was dying for a breath of fresh air…

This Nightfall Festival has over the years become a solid, palpable part of Rennes's streets, parks, squares and stages. This avant-guardist event repaints the city from top to bottom with music, live acts, sound effects, street performances and circus arts… You will be able to experience them in the city centre, or in specific neighbourhoods, in art installations, concert halls, or simply walking the streets.

This new edition of the festival will be an opportunity to see free performances, fanfares, sound effect shows, open-air plays, exhibitions and more. Expect a variety of events and activities both inside and out, in parks (Thabor, Maurepas), concert halls (opera, Vieux Saint Etienne), squares (Mairie, Parlement, Hoche, Saint-Germain, Lices) and in the city streets.

Fire and thunder in the night sky.

Your local commune is organising a fantastic fireworks display to celebrate Bastille Day! This shower of colour and thunder will be an amazing experience and will literally light up your night. Young and old will be in awe of the technical abilities of these pyrotechnic artists. Expect a thrilling show.

Art and the business world.

Cultural life in Rennes will have an additional artistic event to give the city a greater cultural presence than it already has. May 2008 will be the birth date of the very first edition of the Rennes Workshops: Valeures Croisées (or Crossed Values) - this contemporary art event will be centred on the relationship between art and the business world.
Numerous pieces will be exhibited: some specially created for the event by artists in Breton companies and some from public and private collections.
Altogether, over 60 French and international artists will be pesenting their artwork in seven artistically-significant locations throughout the city, including the Jacobean Convent.

The once and future king.

This first ever exhibition dedicated to the legend of King Arthur aims to retrace, understand and explain the mythology related to Arthur. This event boasts the prestigious "Exposition d'intérêt national" label (or "exhibition of interest to the nation") which is granted by the ministry of culture.

This legend is one if not the most important literary and artistic theme in European culture, and it has always been a highly-popular story. The Champs Libre exhibition aims to reveal the actual King arthur, the keystone of a veritable literary institution that blends magic, war and love… Aside the actual historical fact, this expo refers to old sources as much as contemporary adaptations, in order to better understand the birth of an almost universal legend.

Over 200 works linked to the myth will be on display, along with a number of historical and iconographical documents.

Tradition and cultures.

The town of Saint-Malo will for a few days allow you to discover a particular traditional culture. Artwork and traditional objects from American-Indian cultures will be on display at the Chapelle Saint-Sauveur. Take the opportunity to let your mind wander and learn about these cultures.

Rennes houses one of the most interesting rock scenes in France.

The place is Rennes, the year is 1980. The city is home to one of the most lively and innovative rock scenes in France.

New movements appear and spread like an epidemic; punk music spawns alternative and independent rock. At the same time, independent radios take off with new stations sprouting across Rennes like mushrooms on steroids.

Franck Roland, a star host for Radio Savane, launched the Rock Tympans association in 1986 to back the rising new wave scene. As a result, in 1991, the first edition of the Route du Rock Festival invaded the city's bars, association headquarters and concert halls.

Roland's association launched a parallel festival, Ici Londres, which brought the hottest UK bands across the channel (Therapy?, Neds Atomic Dustbin and Mega City Four) for a series of sell-out concerts. The festival bug was seeded, took root and now the "Road of Rock" has become a cultural institution.

The festival organisers pride themselves on a daring musical program; they are not afraid to put promising new bands in the spotlight amidst modern rock, pop and electro stars (think The Do, The Breeders, Tindersticks, The Notwist, Foals, The Ting Tings, Why?, Adam Kesher, Poni Hoax, Pivot, etc, etc.).

Don't miss out on this exceptional event, the hottest summer festival in Rennes only a stone's throw from the fine sandy beaches of the "Emerald Coast"…

Let the race begin!

On July 1st 1903, Géo Lefèvre and Henri Desgrange, a journalist and director of L'Auto, decided to organise the first ever Tour de France. Starting in the town of Montgeron, 60 cyclists took to the streets for a 2 500km circuit travelling the entire country and broken into six stages. The first celebrities appeared thereafter: Pélissier, Pottier, Vietto, Magne, Petit-Breton, Leducq; followed in later years by the greats, the heros who went down in history: Poulidor, Anquetil, Bobet and Coppi. The Tour is the country's emblematic major summer sporting event, a scenic race passing through the country's many tourist hotspots. The Tour de France is back once again!

The Tour de France is the subject of huge, riotous and highly popular festivities in every town left in its wake, offering fun and excitement for all the family as these athletes rush through beautiful scenic areas, driven by the will to win at least one stage… Step by step, the scores begin adding up.

After almost a month of hard riding on the French roads, the traditional arrival on the Champs-Elysées is the final flourish of the competition.

Whether watching television at home or lined up along the roads, Tour supporters are there to cheer and give courage to these exceptional athletes..

Thrift shopping at its finest…

For a whole day, enjoy the idle joys of bargaining and shopping right there in the street - hunt for the perfect deal or that one missing piece from your collection, all in a warm, friendly atmosphere!

A great way to enjoy shopping with the whole family!

The church is alive with the sound of music.

Church concerts give people the opportunity to experience moving music, but also to appreciate the cultural and architectural value of these religious monuments.

Take the time to enjoy some fine classical music in a venue with unique acoustics and a perfect setting for such grandiose performances.

La furia Italiana…

Rosario Giuliani was brought up to the jazzy tunes of Cannonball Adderly and Jackie McLean. This Italian virtuoso sax-player has become something of a mascot on the French jazz scene, similarly to Stefano Di Battista. After big names such as Aldo Romano, Enrico Rava, and Paolo Fresu, Italy has sent over another musical prodigy, courtesy of the Dreyfus Jazz record label.

Adults only.

The Ile de Rhodes night-club is open all year round.
Open since 1964 on a tiny, winding back-street, its charming hostesses stage adult shows (ballets, sexy shows, music, dance, etc.). A legendary address for a hot night out in Rennes!

An unforgettable plunge into the world's oceans.

The fantastic journey provided by the Grand Aquarium is an attraction not to be missed in Saint-Malo. With its spectacular tanks and cutting-edge displays, the aquarium offers a captivating insight into the rich worlds to be found under the sea. Discover an astonishing 600 species!
Follow the direction of the visit, from the cold oceans of the north to tropical seas, via sharks in the 360° tank, to the mysterious denizens of the sunken galleon and brightly-coloured tropical species.
Enjoy the unique experience of undersea exploring in the Nautilus submarine.

A treat for book-lovers.

Old bindings, the smell of paper, out-of-print or little-known works... There are so many rare finds to be made at book markets where every reader, from the neophyte to the bookworm, can hope to stumble upon his heart's desire.

Jazz time.

The club's reputation as a friendly venue for aspiring musicians extends well beyond Rennes, making it a meeting-place for jazz musicians from near and far. In addition to its regular jam sessions based on jazz classics, the club organises a series of theme evenings throughout the year (Wayne Shorter, free jazz, big band, jazz vocals, etc.) as well as numerous events open to all, at special rates for members.

13 centuries of farming history.

South of Rennes at the farm of la Bintinais, the Ecomuseum features exhibits on the history of Rennes and also serves as an observatory of ancient breeds of animals that have been preserved.
Lovingly restored, the farm recounts five centuries of the region's history through costumes, tools, farming equipment and reconstituted rooms (kitchens, larder).

Attacking the Tour Solidor!

The Solidor Tower at Saint-Servan houses the Saint-Malo Museum's collection on this theme.
Numerous models, ship's instruments and objects, made by mariners during their long voyages or brought back as souvenirs of distant shores, fire the imagination with images of extraordinary voyages on the great sailing ships of the late 19th and early 20th century that carried cargoes of nitrates from Chile, wood and grain from California or Australia, nickel from New Caledonia, etc.

The "Solidor Tower" is in fact a fortified structure that originally consisted of a small guard-tower, the existing bastion which incorporates sections of Gallo-Roman masonry, and the three towers connected by curtain walls to the main body of the fortress.
Work on building the fortified keep began between 1369 and 1382, on the orders of Duke Jean IV of Brittany as a means of controlling the town of Saint-Malo, recalcitrant to his authority.

Try out an organic market with 100% natural produce.

As you stroll around the Sainte-Thérèse quarter, try some of the organic products for their quality and taste.

The Sainte-Thérèse market is sure to be selling its famous artichokes and cauliflowers and maybe even the famous Coco de Paimpol white beans.

Retrace the history of art.

Like most of France's museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rennes dates from the Revolution. Founded in 1794 with works confiscated from the town's religious and civil buildings, the museum nonetheless owes the bulk of its collections to the magnificent "cabinet of curiosities" of Christophe-Paul de Robien (1698-1756), President of the Breton Parliament.
From La Femme entre les deux âges (16th century) by Saint-Luc de Heemskerck to contemporary art, the museum also houses an Egyptian archaeological collection (bronzes, ceramics, etc.), an exceptional collection of drawings, and a collection of engravings.

The contemporary art collection focuses on two main areas: artists with Breton roots, such as the Affichistes, and the various currents in abstract art from Sam Francis to Aurélie Nemours.

Follow in the footsteps of a great explorer.

The museum, dedicated to Jacques Cartier, retraces the life and times of its former owner: his everyday life and his great expeditions.
It is housed in the Manoir de Limoëlou, in the Rothéneuf quarter, a building considered to be the ancestor of the malouinières, the mansions built by the shipping magnates of Saint-Malo.

Place Charles de Gaulle: before and after.

You can admire this exhibition for the whole duration of the renovation period. This outdoor exhibit is dedicated to the historical evolution of the place Charles de Gaulle, but also to the soon-to-be renovated esplanade signed urban planner Nicolas Michelin.

You might be interested to know that this major square had four different names since its foundation, or that it was actually bombed during World War II.

The six display panels will showcase the various renovations projects for the esplanade which will become a huge entertainment centre with a multi-screen cinema, underground parking lot, a completely renovated Liberté, a Youth Centre and a Welcoming Centre for students and foreign academics.

Bring your friends.

Spend an evening with friends here, and you won't regret it! If only for the amazing "Chien Fou" cocktail (strawberry cordial, vodka, Tabasco) served in a shot glass, or the famous "Verre Vert" (green glass) consisting of Get 27, vodka and Perrier). The beer list is impressive, too, and the English pub atmosphere makes for a relaxing evening.
The music tends towards rock'n'roll, and lots of regulars enjoy a game of table football or two. An upstairs room is available for functions and concerts.

Try out an organic market with 100% natural products.

As you stroll around the Sainte-Thérèse quarter, try some of the organic products for their quality and taste.

The Sainte-Thérèse market is sure to be selling its famous artichokes and cauliflowers and, if you happen to be there at the right time of year, maybe even the famous Coco de Paimpol white beans.

Explore Saint-Malo's rich and varied past.

Since 1927, the main castle keep has housed the collections of the Municipal Museum that became the city's Museum of History after renovation by the French Historic Monuments department in 1950.

This massive horseshoe-shaped tower was built from 1424 onwards on the orders of Duke Jean V of Brittany.
It rises to a total height of 35 metres.
The Museum was extended in 1988 by a further three exhibition rooms created in the Tour Générale and is scheduled for yet another extension into the Quic-en-Groigne tower and the Petit Donjon.
The history of Saint-Malo and its maritime tradition begins with shipbuilding and the opening up of the Newfoundland fishing grounds, the region's two main activities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Salsa style.

Most people think salsa means Cuba.
The roots of salsa are, in fact, more cosmopolitan. Salsa is a music and dance movement, Cuban and Caribbean in origin, that grew up in New York amongst the Porto Ricans, one of the most disadvantaged groups in the US between the 1920s and the 1960s.
A far cry from the folklore surrounding it today, salsa is above all else a form of sharing. Sharing senses and emotions, words and music, dance and bodies. If you let the Afro-Cuban rhythms get to you, you might just find yourself forgetting your steps!
Sip on a mojito, cuba libre or caipirinha, enjoy a refreshing tropical fruit juice, and let yourself dance.

Shop inside an architectural masterpiece.

Architect Jean-Baptiste Martenot was responsible for the two market halls in the Place des Lices.
The two constructions are the very quintessence of 19th century metallic architecture.

They lend themselves perfectly to exhibitions as well as to events like the Marché des Lices, recognised as the 3rd biggest market in France.

To your bagpipes!

Ty Anna Tavern welcomes you to its Breton den for a session of local music.
Amateur and professional artists play Celtic music every Wednesday in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. A good night out is on the cards.

A taste for the authentic.

Tuesday late afternoon is organic market day in Dol de Bretagne. All those who love truly healthy fruit and vegetables, often smaller than usual because not artificially swollen with water but tasting the way fruit and vegetables used to taste, will find a wide selection of organic food products guaranteed free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or additives.

Time to yourself.

As you gaze at the works on display, you wonder; perhaps you wish you had a better understanding of how an artist works? The Galerie du Triangle invites you to a privileged visit for a personal approach to the work.
Throughout the year, in the gallery and its light well, explore the full dimension of the exhibitions, installations and performances staged at the Triangle.

Join the Thursday night skate-in in Rennes!

Beginners, professionals or amateurs, strap on your roller-skates for a night-time ride through the streets of Rennes. The perfect combination of exercise and fun!
Zip through the city with a huge crowd of like-minded skaters, and share in the dynamic, friendly atmosphere.
Watch out for the first drops of rain, though; the evening is cancelled in the event of rain.

Rural history for the cityfolk…

The agricultural tour provided by the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes is an introduction to the history of Breton farming. As you make your way along, take the opportunity to admire the plant collections and learn about which crops were farmed over the centuries, which are obsolete, and which are mass-produced today. One of the aims of the museum and this guided tour is to ensure the survival of certain plant species.

The orchard, where over a hundred apple varieties are grown, is particularly impressive.

Perfect for an aperitif or a digestif!

Once you climb the nine steps leading up to this building dating from 1737, you'll find yourself in one of Rennes' cosiest bars. Every attention has been paid to the decoration for a slightly Latino setting, with Louis XVI armchairs and exposed beams against deep red walls.
Every day a different cocktail is on offer, often based on jam or fresh fruit, but you can also choose from the list of Cuban cocktails that are a speciality of the house: mojito and pina colada. There is a special themed evening every month, with a different theme every time, but the prevailing musical style is electro.

Yesterday and today.

Calling all students! Thursday night is students' night at Le Pym's in Rennes!
Opt for the atmosphere of your choice: recent hits in the Planète room (house, commercial dance, R'n'B) or an 80s feel in the Club, with funk & disco and French pop.
Admission free before 1 a.m. on presentation of a student card!