Capital of Brittany — Medieval Timber Frames, Galettes, and the Second-Largest Market in France
Rennes, the capital of Brittany, is second only to Strasbourg in the density of its surviving medieval half-timbered architecture. The Marché des Lices — one of France's largest open-air markets, running since 1622 — fills the Place des Lices every Saturday morning with local producers, and the city's 60,000-strong student population drives a restaurant and bar scene that makes Rennes feel younger and more spontaneous than most French regional capitals.
Rennes became the capital of the Duchy of Brittany in the 10th century and retained its distinct identity even after union with France in 1532 — the Breton Parliament sat here until the Revolution, and its Baroque palace survives as one of the finest 17th-century buildings in France. A catastrophic fire in 1720 destroyed much of the medieval centre; that section was rebuilt in neoclassical style, while the old half-timbered quarters survived intact, creating the architectural contrast that defines the city today.