Rennes - June 29th to July 1st
In 2015, the city was the tenth largest in France, with a metropolitan area of about 720,000 inhabitants. With more than 66,000 students in 2016, it is also the eighth-largest university campus of France. In 2018, L'Express named Rennes as "the most liveable city in France".
Quarter-Final Between Germany and Sweden
Germany scored in the 16th minute and it looked they were off to the races. But Sweden was stronger than anticipated and came back to win 2-1! Well done Sweden!
Greek Dinner
We had a really nice meal at a Greek restaurant right next to our apartment.
The Sword Mistress of Rennes!
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Rennes
The site has been used for a cathedral more or less from the beginnings of the 6th century. The earliest building was completely replaced by a Gothic cathedral in the 12th century, of which in 1490 the tower and the entire west front collapsed. The existing façade with its neoclassical granite towers in four stages was constructed over the next two centuries or so, with long gaps between the different stages: the lowest level was built between 1541 and 1543, the second from 1640 to 1654, and the fourth from 1654 to 1678. the towers were completed between 1679 and 1704, at their present height of 48 meters and the device of Louis XVI was added between them.
Palais Saint-Georges
Formerly an abbey residence, it was built in 1670 to replace a much older abbey building that stood on the same site. The Benedictine Abbey of Saint George (Abbaye Saint-Georges de Rennes) was forced to close in 1792 during the French Revolution and the property was seized by the government.
The gardens were very nice, especially the tribute to the Women's World Cup!
Palais Saint-Georges
In 1032, Duke Alain III of Brittany founded the Benedictine abbey of Saint George on behalf of his sister Adèle, a Benedictine nun who became the convent's first abbess. The abbey thrived for several centuries.
Magdelaine de la Fayette was the 38th abbess, holding this position from 1663 to 1688. In the 1660s she commissioned the architect Pierre Corbineau to design a new building. She oversaw the demolition of the main abbey building, and presided over the construction of the new Palais Saint-Georges. Her name is on the front of the building.
Hôtel Particulier, Now the Parlement de Bretagne
This mansion is on the Place des Lices, which is the location of the weekly big market.
A Hôtel Particulier is a townhouse of a grand sort. Whereas an ordinary maison (house) was built as part of a row, sharing party walls with the houses on either side and directly fronting on a street, an hôtel particulier was often free-standing, and by the 18th century it would always be located 'entre cour et jardin': between an entrance court and the garden behind.
Gare de Rennes
This is the Rennes train station. It was our favorite train station of the trip. There was contstruction going on outside, so this picture doesn't look great, but we were very impressed with the station. The wavy 'tubes' running around the station seemed to be involved in heating and cooling, but also looked nice. There was a piano in the lobby for travelers to use. We heard two separate performances that were very impressive.
