Car Rental in Rennes

Why rent a car in Rennes?

Rennes is a major city in Brittany, located northwest of France. Known for its medieval charm, narrow streets and half-timbered houses, Rennes has a rich history dating back to Roman times. The city is also a vibrant cultural center with a thriving music scene, numerous museums and art galleries, and yearly festivals. Visitors should take advantage of the Parc du Thabor, the oldest public garden in France, which offers a beautiful green oasis in the city center. Food lovers will appreciate the Breton culinary specialties, such as galettes and cider, and the city's many restaurants and cafés. After seeing Rennes, get in your rental to explore the rest of the beautiful, rugged, and culturally unique region of Brittany. 

Top ways to enter Rennes

• Rennes Airport: Also known as Saint-Jacques Airport, this small airport handled about 850,000 travelers in 2018, an 18% increase from the year before. The airport is a hub for the national carrier Air France as well as other airlines, including easyJet, Vueling, and Flybe. Located 12km (7.4 miles) south of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Nantes Airport: Serving the large city of the same name, Nantes Atlantique Airport is one of the busiest airports in Northwest France, having handled more than six million travelers in 2018. The airport is a hub for low-cost airlines Volotea, Transavia, and easyJet, and offers flights to and from a large number of holiday destinations in Southern Europe and North Africa. Located some 120km (74.5 miles) south of Rennes, Nantes Airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Lorient Airport: Also known as Lorient-South Brittany and Lorient-Lann-Bihoué, this small international airport hosts domestic flights to and from Paris, Lyon, and Toulouse as well as to Porto in Portugal. Many of Brittany’s famous places, such as Quimper and Brest, are easily reached from the airport. Rennes is 160km (100 miles) northeast of Lorient Airport and can be reached in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Caen Airport: Also known by its full name Caen-Carpiquet, this international airport might be small, but in 2018 it recorded a 50% increase in passengers served compared to the year before. As of October 2019, the airport is served by three airlines, Flybe, HOP!, and Volotea. Located in Normandy, Caen Airport is 180km (120 miles) north of Rennes and takes less than two hours to reach.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: The largest airport in France and second-busiest airport in Europe, Charles de Gaulle Airport primarily serves Paris, but is also the main port of entry for many travelers going to other parts of the country. The airport served 72 million travelers in 2018 and offers flights to and from all the continents of the world. Located 380km (236 miles) northwest of Rennes, the airport can be reached in about four hours.
• By rail: If arriving in Rennes by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Rennes Central Train Station or Gare de Rennes. 

City facts

• Located near the coast, Rennes has an oceanic climate similar, if slightly warmer than, to that of the United Kingdom. The average high temperature is 24°C  (75°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 9°C  (48°F) in January, the coldest. The city has moderate precipitation that is considerably lower than in the westernmost reaches of Brittany (e.g., Brest). October is the rainiest month, while August is the driest.
• Although Rennes is the capital city of Brittany, it has never been a stronghold of the Breton language; instead, Gallo, a Romance language more closely related to French, was for centuries the main local tongue (nowadays, French is the dominant language). Nonetheless, Rennes has a number of language schools and centers of both Gallo and Breton cultures. Knowledge of English varies but is quite high among the people working in the tourism and service industries.
• Rennes is a great destination for foodies, known for its delicious local cuisine, including galettes (buckwheat crepes), seafood, and cider. Visitors can sample these specialties at one of the many restaurants and cafes in the city.

Top sights and activities

• The Parlement of Brittany. The former parliament building is one of the most impressive buildings of Rennes and, consequently, one of its main tourist attractions. The institution of parlement, a type of provincial court, was formally abolished after the French Revolution in 1790. For the last two hundred years, the building has hosted the Rennes Court of Appeals. Despite this function, the building is also open at certain times to visitors who can marvel at its painted ceilings and imposing courtrooms.
• Rennes Cathedral. Saint-Pierre Cathedral is one of the nine historic cathedrals in Brittany. It was built in the classical style from the 16th century onwards. The beautiful neoclassical granite façade has two 48-meter-high towers.
• Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes. Home to some seriously amazing collections, it has been named the most important French museum outside Paris. The exhibitions are quite varied and cover everything from the art of the world’s first civilizations to masterpieces painted by world-famous artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Paolo Veronese, Paul Gauguin, and Pablo Picasso. 
• Saint George Palace. Built in the 17th century, it was initially an abbey, but it ceased to fulfill its religious function after the French Revolution. Sitting on the bank of the Vilaine River, the palace is located near the city center and is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden. One of the most beloved tourist attractions in Rennes, it is also one of the most photographed buildings in the region of Brittany. 
• Parc du Thabor. Located just to the east of the city center, Thabor Park is not just the largest public green area in Rennes, it’s also arguably the most scenic. The public park covers over 10 hectares and features a French-style garden, an English-style garden, a botanical garden, and numerous sculptures and fountains.
• Museum of Brittany. Located in the modernistic Les Champs Libres building which is an attraction in its own right, this social history museum tells the unique and fascinating story of the Brittany region, with special attention dedicated to traditional costumes and other objects of ethnographic value. Situated just south of the Vilaine River, Champs Libres also provides home to the Space of Science which has a planetarium, making it one of the most popular family attractions in Rennes.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30km/h. Unlike for inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
• Outside cities and as of May 2019, the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110km/h, and 2 or 3-lane roads to 90km/h. When it is raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 110km/h, 100km/h, and 80km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50km/h during periods of heavy fog or other times of impaired visibility.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When you are driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• As of 2019, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with the letter A and you can recognize them by their red number sign. The toll for using a toll road depends on the specific route, distance traveled, as well as the type of vehicle - trailer cars and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or in cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transponders that can be used at the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transporters.

Ideas for day trips

• Mont Saint-Michel. A unique walled settlement on a small island, Mont Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island is best known for the impressive Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, a Gothic 10th-century structure that is one of the most visited buildings in France. The island can be accessed by car via a bridge that connects it to the mainland (although during low tide, some tourists might be tempted to access the island overland, it is strongly advised against as the tides are unpredictable and it can be very dangerous). Located 83km (51 miles) north of Rennes, Mont Saint-Michel can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Saint-Malo. A small and picturesque walled city, Saint-Malo is a well-loved destination for many visitors of Brittany. The walls were erected for protection against pirates and have since become the city’s main symbol. Outside the walls, the city boasts beautiful beaches and a rather unique tidal power station. Saint-Malo gives access to the Emerald Coast, which stretches from Cancale to Saint-Briac-sur-Mer. The coast is known for its fine sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and cliffs offering spectacular ocean views. Visitors can discover impressive natural sites such as Cap Fréhel, a magnificent rocky peninsula, or the Pointe du Grouin, a nature reserve offering a breathtaking view of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay. Located 69km (43 miles) north of Rennes, Saint-Malo takes only 50 minutes to reach.
• Carnac. A small and quiet town, Carnac is home to some literally giant history as it is the site of a number of menhirs, prehistoric megalithic stones aligned in specific shapes. Historians and archaeologists are still unsure of the stones’ symbolic meaning to the historic peoples who erected them, but the site is undoubtedly impressive to visit. Located 140km (87 miles) southwest of Rennes, Carnac can be reached in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• Brocéliande. Also known as Paimpont, the Brocéliande Forest is a legendary place as it has been identified as the woodland appearing in the legends of King Arthur. According to the myth, the forest is said to contain the Vale of No Return and the resting place of the wizard Merlin. It’s up to each visitor to decide how much of the legend is true, but Broceliande is an undoubtedly beautiful nature area that is home to unique trees and long hiking paths. Located 44km (27 miles) north of Rennes, the forest can be reached in about 40 minutes.
• Vitré. It is one of the towns in Brittany that has best preserved its former appearance with its old streets lined with timber-framed houses, a castle, ramparts and old churches. Vitré is located 40 km east of Rennes (40 minutes drive). 
• Dinan. Located north of Rennes, Dinan is a medieval town popular with tourists for its historic charm and ideal location on the banks of the Rance. Visitors can explore the cobbled streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses, visit the Basilique Saint-Sauveur and the Tour de l'Horloge, and admire the views of the Rance valley from the town's ramparts. In addition to its historical attractions, Dinan is known for its delicious cuisine, including Breton specialties such as crêpes and seafood. Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing walk along the Rance River or visit one of the town's many art galleries and craft shops. With its unspoiled medieval charm, mouth-watering cuisine and numerous tourist attractions, Dinan is a must-see destination for visitors seeking authentic Brittany. Dinan is located 55 km east of Rennes (a 45-minute drive).

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Rennes is the Opel Corsa, followed by the Citroen C3 and the Renault Clio. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• Quiberon. Known as Côte Sauvage or the Wild Coast, Quiberon is a small town at the edge of a narrow peninsula. It is said to have the wildest waves in all of France, giving the place a truly special atmosphere. Many visitors love to go surfing or visit one of Quiberon’s spas. Located 158km (98 miles) southwest of Rennes, Quiberon can be reached in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• Armorica Regional Natural Park. A protected area on the edge of the Brittany peninsula, Armorica is made up of remote beaches, strange rock formations, wetlands, and uninhabited islands. A truly wild place that any nature lover will enjoy, the area is home to such wildlife species such as otters, beavers, various birds of prey, and even sundew, a carnivorous plant. Located 215km (133 miles) west of Rennes, Armorica can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Brittany has some of the most beautiful villages in France: Locronan, Moncontour, Rochefort-en-Terre and Saint-Suliac. These localities are the goal of beautiful excursions by car from Rennes.
• Angers. One of the most scenic cities in the region, Angers is best known for its impressive and highly distinct castle. Taking 400 years to build, its construction was finished almost a millennium ago. The castle complex is made up of 17 towers; inside, you’ll find the equally impressive Tapestry of the Apocalypse. The drive from Rennes takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
• Nantes. Located south of Rennes on the Loire River, Nantes is known for its rich historical and cultural heritage. Visitors can discover the famous castles of the Dukes of Brittany, a well-preserved and impressive medieval castle that now houses a local history museum. The city is also renowned for its Gothic cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, built in the 15th century. The picturesque streets of the old town are lined with historic buildings, craft shops and lively restaurants serving delicious local cuisine. Art lovers will appreciate the Nantes Museum of Art, which houses an internationally renowned modern and contemporary art collection. Nantes is located 115 km east of Rennes (an hour and 25 minutes' drive).
• Caen. The capital of the Lower Normandy region, Caen is one of the most unusual cities in northwestern France. Heavily damaged during the Second World War, it was largely rebuilt afterward, giving it a unique modernistic look – although it still has plenty of older heritage to explore, especially in terms of religious architecture. The drive from Rennes takes only about two hours.

Car rental prices in Rennes

• Large cars - from €60 per day
• Station wagons - from €122 per day
• Vans - from €69 per day
• Small cars - from €37 per day
• Medium cars - from €45 per day
• SUVs - from €53 per day
• Premium cars - from €90 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Get a cheap rental car in Rennes by following these simple tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Rennes is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 64% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 85% cheaper than renting a vehicle in July.