Rennes, the capital of Brittany, has worn many costumes: medieval merchant town, 18th‑century administrative powerhouse, and today a youthful cultural hub with two metro lines and a vibrant food scene. Its half‑timbered houses cluster around Place des Lices, the Parlement de Bretagne dominates a stately square, and elegant Parc du Thabor adds rose gardens and aviaries to your strolls.

Food here is proudly Breton: buckwheat galettes, salted butter caramel, and farmhouse ciders poured in bolées. Weekends glow with market color, cafés spill onto cobblestones, and breweries showcase Brittany’s growing craft scene—great for a romantic, mid‑range escape that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Practical notes: High‑speed TGVs connect Rennes to Paris in about 1h25, and Saint‑Malo’s coast is an easy day trip. Book abbey tickets early if you’ll visit Mont Saint‑Michel, and pack layers: Atlantic breezes can surprise even in summer.

Rennes

Brittany’s beating heart rewards lingerers: walkable Old Town lanes, gilded interiors at the Parlement (bookable tours), and modern culture at Les Champs Libres (home to the Museum of Brittany). It’s also a superb base for cycling—flat canal towpaths lead to bucolic picnics within minutes of the center.

Top sights include the Musée des Beaux‑Arts (Delacroix to contemporary works), Parc du Thabor for languid, romantic hours, Saint‑Pierre Cathedral, Portes Mordelaises gate, and streets like Rue du Chapitre lined with colorful timbered façades. Evenings are for creperies, natural‑wine bars, and serious Breton cider.

• Where to stay (mid‑range to boutique): Look near the historic center for easy walking—options locals love include the design‑forward Mama Shelter Rennes (fun common spaces), tranquil Balthazar Hotel & Spa (splurge‑worthy spa), artsy Magic Hall, and chic Hôtel Le Nemours. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting to Rennes: From Paris Montparnasse, TGVs take about 1h25 (typical €25–€75). Check schedules and prices on Omio Trains. Direct coaches can be cheaper (3.5–5h)—see Omio Buses. Flying within Europe? Compare routes to Rennes (RNS) on Omio Flights.

Day 1: Old Town Rennes, Museums, and a Candlelit Creperie

Afternoon (arrival): Drop bags and head straight to Parc du Thabor for a romantic wander among the formal French garden, orangerie, and aviaries. Coffee and an exquisite kouign‑amann from Pâtisserie Le Daniel (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) set the tone. Then admire Saint‑Pierre Cathedral and the timbered houses along Rue du Chapitre and Place des Lices.

To get your bearings with stories in your ear, try this flexible city walk:

Rennes Interactive City tour

This self‑guided tour cues up history at key spots (start/stop whenever you like), perfect after travel.

Evening: For a quintessential Breton dinner, book Crêperie La Saint‑Georges. Go savory with a galette complète (ham, egg, Emmental) or try a playful house combo, then split a caramel au beurre salé crêpe for dessert—paired with brut cider from nearby farms. If you prefer a river view, Bercail serves seasonal plates in a greenhouse‑like space on the Vilaine—great for a date night.

Nightcap options: Ty Anna Tavarn pours excellent Breton ciders and regional beers in a convivial tavern; La Part des Anges focuses on natural wines and small plates; or slip into Le Peacock for classic and creative cocktails in a low‑lit setting.

Day 2: A Romantic Day Trip—Mont Saint‑Michel (or Saint‑Malo by Sea)

Option A — Full‑day tour (no need to self‑drive):

Day Trip Mont‑Saint‑Michel with a local driver from Rennes – 6 hours

Be whisked from your hotel to the “Wonder of the West” (about 1h15 each way). Climb to the abbey for panoramic views over immense tides, explore the village lanes, and steal quiet moments on the ramparts. It’s an iconic, storybook backdrop for couples. Expect 6 hours total; bring a windbreaker.

Back in Rennes, toast the day with a brewery stop: Skumenn Taproom (local craft pioneer) pours hop‑forward ales and seasonal specials; or try Brasserie Le Vieux Singe’s taproom in nearby Acigné (bus ~20 minutes) for playful labels and Belgian‑inspired brews. Dinner ideas: L’Arsouille for market‑led plates and serious beer/cider selection, or Café des Bains for a lively bistro vibe.

Option B — Prefer the coast? Swap Mont‑Saint‑Michel for Saint‑Malo. Take a morning train from Rennes to Saint‑Malo (about 55 minutes; typically €8–€15 on Omio Trains). Walk the granite ramparts, then add a maritime perspective:

Saint‑Malo: 1h30 guided boat excursion (FR & EN)

Pair it with a storytelling stroll inside the walls:

Discover the Walled City in 2 Hours — Saint‑Malo Walking Tour

Lunch on the ramparts (look for simple crêperies with sea views), slurp Cancale oysters if you see them, then train back to Rennes for dinner near Place Sainte‑Anne.

Day 3: Canal‑Side Biking, LEGO Stop, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Saddle up for a gentle, romantic ride on flat towpaths. Rent from La Maison du Vélo (near the station) or a local shop like Unik Bikes, then choose: north along the Canal d’Ille‑et‑Rance toward Betton (about 12 km one‑way, cafés by the lock), or south along the Vilaine toward Pont‑Réan for river views and picnic spots. Pick up pastries and fruit before you go—Le Daniel or a neighborhood boulangerie will do nicely. Expect €15–€25 per bike/day.

On your way back, make a quick detour for a fun dose of nostalgia at the LEGO Store Rennes (Centre Commercial Alma)—perfect if you’re a brick fan or traveling with a partner who is. It’s an easy hop by metro or bus; grab a mini‑set as a quirky souvenir of Brittany.

Afternoon (departure): If time allows, pop into the Musée des Beaux‑Arts (plan ~60–90 minutes; ~€8–€10) or the Museum of Brittany at Les Champs Libres for a crash course in Breton identity. For a final taste, book lunch at Crêperie La Saint‑Georges (if you missed it), or try Bercail’s lunch menu overlooking the water. Then roll to the station for your TGV—check times on Omio Trains or buses on Omio Buses; for intra‑Europe flights see Omio Flights.

• Extra foodie tips: Saturday morning only, the Marché des Lices is one of France’s biggest—cheese, galettes‑saucisse, cider, and flowers galore. For a splurge tasting menu, IMA delivers thoughtful, modern Breton cuisine (book ahead). Cider styles to know: brut (dry), doux (sweet), and cidre fermier (farmhouse).
• Romantic moments: Sunset by the Vilaine quays, a bench inside Thabor’s rose garden, or a late walk past the illuminated Parlement de Bretagne.

How to book your essentials: Compare stays on VRBO Rennes or Hotels.com Rennes, and line up trains/buses/flights with Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and Omio Flights.

In three days, you’ll taste Brittany’s essence—Rennes’ art and timbered lanes, crepes and cider, easy bike rides, and a swoon‑worthy excursion to Mont Saint‑Michel or Saint‑Malo. It’s a romantic, mid‑budget escape with just enough adventure to keep you dreaming of a longer return.