Rennes walks

An urban walk where you first stroll along the Vilaine river before crossing two public gardens. Then you wander through the historic centre of Rennes with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. With the Palais Saint-Georges, the Portes Mordelaises, the Opera House, the Parliament of Brittany and several churches, there is a rich heritage to discover.

A walk through the centre of Rennes, passing important sites such as the new convention centre (former Jacobins Convent, Parliament of Brittany, etc.) and ending pleasantly at the Thabor Gardens. The route also allows you to appreciate the architectural richness of old Rennes and some admirable façades.

Discover the variety of street art in Rennes: this short, very pleasant route to the north of Rennes’ historic centre takes you past around fifty works.Ranging from simple tags and lettering to graffiti and murals, including mosaics, drawings and various signatures, this short, colourful stroll allows you to appreciate all the facets of this modern art form. A mix of now-famous Rennes-based artists such as War! and graffiti artists from other regions gives a good sense of the scene’s vibrancy. The route takes you along little-known paths and alleyways in Old Rennes. You’ll skirt small parks and pass through gates to end up at Place Sainte-Anne, one of the city’s liveliest squares.Photographers, treat yourselves – you won’t regret it. And choose your time of day for the best light.

Explore both banks of the Vilaine as it flows through part of the city of Rennes.

The city of Rennes has no shortage of green spaces, as evidenced by this route which passes through two parks and small gardens. This route offers a lovely, relaxing stroll right in the heart of the city, with very few tarmac paths.

Although very close to Rennes, this route mainly offers routes on wide gravel or grassy paths. There is very little tarmac except when you are close to inhabited areas.

A short route with no particular difficulties between Saint-Grégoire and Betton. No risk of getting lost, just follow the Ille and Rance canal along the towpath on the east bank and then return via the west bank.

Walk along a shaded path on the banks of the Vilaine river, passing by the Manoir de Tizé.

This path takes us through the meadows of the Thorigné dairy farms to the Rennes National Forest. There, the scenery changes: oak and pine forests, around the Caleuvre, recreate for us the fantastical world of elves. Very colourful in spring and autumn. Nature just a stone’s throw from the city. The first section follows the Chemin Joseph Gentil, established in memory of this resistance fighter from Betton.

Enjoy a pleasant walk along the Vilaine river and the Étangs d'Apigné lakes. This lake area is very popular with the people of Rennes for sports and picnics. You are sure to come across joggers and cyclists along the path.

An easy route, which takes you to the outskirts of Pont-Péan through the countryside and back along the Seiche. Just be careful of cars when crossing the N137 (two four-lane carriageways to cross). Please note: access to the Seiche may be restricted during periods of high water and flooding.

A short walk along the banks of the Flûme and Champalaune rivers and through the small Champagne wood.

The Rennes Forest, starting from the Ille and Rance Canal. After approaching via the towpath, then through the countryside along sunken paths, we enter the great forest via the slopes of the Caleuvre. The trail avoids the main forest avenues to allow us to enjoy the tall, centuries-old oaks, the banks of the Caleuvre, and the tranquillity of the forest. Magnificent photos to be taken in spring and autumn. Shaded in summer, very accessible in winter, the forest surprises us with its light.

This short walk allows you to enjoy the Ille and Rance Canal and the countryside in the south-east of the town, starting from the centre of Betton. The charm of the Pluvignon stream, shaded by a double row of ancient oak trees, makes you fancy a picnic. After the village of La Forme, the return route via the Vau Robion footpath takes us back to the canal.

This walk allows you to enjoy the tranquillity of the Ille and Rance Canal, as well as discover the charm of the countryside south-east of Betton. You’ll come across the Haut Chalet Lock, the Pluvignon Stream and the Bois de Champaufour. The route passes close to dairy farms and, after a few footpaths through Betton, rejoins the canal. Largely shaded, this varied walk is particularly colourful in spring and autumn. Some sections remain damp in winter.

This hike is an opportunity to discover the charm of the countryside south of Betton, with a return trip along the towpath of the Ille and Rance Canal. More than half of the route is dedicated to cyclists and hikers. The rest of the route consists of dead-end roads with little traffic. You will discover the Haut Chalet lock, the hamlets of Vau Robion and Les Lices, and the Moulin de la Charbonnière site with its wash house. Colourful, cool and peaceful. Can also be done by motorbike.

The towpath of the Ille and Rance Canal, the lock, the footpath and the river – nature greets you from the very first few metres. The many sunken paths along the route give this easy walk its special charm. Very colourful in spring and autumn in the sunshine. Shade from the plane trees in summer. However, it can be damp during rainy winters.

A peaceful, shaded walk through the heart of the Bois de Cicé, taking you past numerous ponds lined with facilities for anglers and walkers. Please note, it will be difficult to get through certain sections with a pushchair. If you prefer more accessible paths, it is best to take the central path, which leads to the towpath. The ponds originated from a former gravel pit that supplied building materials to the city of Rennes.

A short hike in the Rennes forest along shady forest lines and paths through the forest alongside the Caleuvre stream. This easy trail is particularly beautiful in early spring, when the beech trees have young, light-green leaves, or in autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow and red. It takes you along the old water supply line that brought water from the Minette (a tributary of the Couesnon) to Rennes.

Pont Péan still bears traces of its former mining activity.A silver lead (or galena) mine was operated there from 1730 to 1797 and from 1844 to 1904.This route allows you to see some remains of this activity and to tour the village near the Tellé stream on the edge of the urban and rural areas.