Rennes in 5 shops

In our 5 Shops series, we’ll point you in the direction of our favorite independent shops across some of the world’s best cities. From food markets to bookshops, vintage and homegrown design, we’ve found a diverse and exciting mix of local retailers where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces.

Rennes – the capital of Brittany in northwestern France – is renowned for its picturesque half-timbered houses and rich cultural heritage. You can get to Rennes from Paris in just 90 minutes on a high-speed train, making it an ideal destination for a day trip from the capital or as a starting point for exploring the treasures of Brittany, including St-Malo and Mont St-Michel.

You might come for for its great restaurants, thriving nightlife and diverse art scene – or, if you're here in December, one of Europe's most important music festivals. And while here, you can take a leisurely stroll to explore hidden gems and find something special to bring home.

Here are our favorite 5 shops in Rennes.

Best place to buy a souvenir: Breizh Club

Established by a team of proud Bretons, this youthful brand has been passionately dedicated to ready-to-wear fashion and souvenirs since 2016. Situated close to the town hall in the heart of the city, this boutique offers visitors a chance to acquire trendy, locally printed products made from 100% organic cotton.

For travelers seeking to take home a piece of the region’s allure, the shop has an array of options, including embroidered marinières – the iconic French maritime tops – showy tote bags and even rain boot–patterned socks celebrating Brittany’s weather.

Breizh Club celebrates Brittany’s rich heritage and even its cultural clichés, with plenty of home accessories: mugs, posters, beach towels, cooking aprons and more.

Best local design store: Le mur habité

A bit outside the city center you'll find a unique architectural project and hub for local designers: Le mur habité. Built alongside a rail line, this building with soundproof walls of wood and glass is a testament to the thriving craftsmanship scene of Rennes. Le mur habité is now a creative nucleus where artists, designers and artisans celebrate the essence of Breton crafts and innovation.

Visitors are greeted by an array of contemporary artisan-creators who work on everything from silkscreen printing to artisanal plumassier (crafting with feathers), sewing and lampshade making. Visitors can stop in anytime to witness how well-crafted objects are created, like the tasteful jewelry from L’Atelier Septentrion, made using the technique of sand casting, which dates back to the Bronze Age. One of my friends even designed his own wedding ring with their help.

Located next to iconic art space Les Ateliers du Vent, Le mur habité hosts regular workshops and events that promote collaboration and inspiration within the local creative community.

Best vintage store: Rossignol de mes amours

As thrift shopping has surged in popularity, finding affordable, quality vintage clothes has become trickier. But that’s not the case at Rossignol de mes amours, located in the lively neighborhood of Saint-Hélier, just a few blocks from the train station.

This small shop boasts a delightful collection of eye-catching vintage clothes carefully curated by Parisian-born Stéphanie. From made-in-France floral dresses to leather bags and cozy woolen cardigans, Rossignol de mes amours offers timeless and affordable pieces for men and women that exude the charm of bygone eras.

An extroverted and passionate owner, Stéphanie loves sharing her knowledge and helping customers find the perfect piece. As a vintage enthusiast myself, I stumbled upon a black leather belt with a cowboy buckle from Lee (€25/US$28) and an asymmetrical silver ring (€20/US$22).

Best bookshop: La Nuit des temps

Facing the Vilaine river is a feminist institution that celebrates the power of literature and equality and one of the best places to buy books in Rennes. Founded in 2017 by Ayla Saura and Solveig Touzé, this independent bookstore has become an essential destination for locals and travelers seeking intellectual nourishment and a sense of community.

The shop's shelves are filled with comic books, magazines, children’s literature and works by contemporary authors like Mona Chollet and icons like Simone de Beauvoir. Some versions are available in English.

But La Nuit des temps goes beyond being a mere bookstore: it has evolved into a thriving cultural hub, with regular talks by artists, activists and writers. The space is always bustling with energy and a commitment to social justice and empowerment, with a strong focus on social sciences, ecology, anti-racism and LGBTIQ+ communities.

Best food market: Le marché des Lices

Le marché des Lices, one of the largest markets in France, is a weekend must-visit for food lovers in Rennes and Breton. For 400 years, people have come to buy the region's best products (fish, meat, fruits, vegetables and more) from between 200 and 300 local vendors.

Some visitors might come to snack on a hot dish after a late night out (spoiler: galette-saucisse – sausage wrapped in a buckwheat pancake – never disappoints). Others browse among the colorful stalls for beautiful flowers to charm their loved ones. My favorite pastime? Buying snacks for an early-afternoon apéritif and going for a fresh pint on the terrace of La Gazoline, just down the street from the market.