Rennes on a Budget: Low-Cost Activities to do in the City

The following blog was written by a student intern on a Summer 2025 high school summer abroad program with CIEE. Read on for an insider look into what it's like on program in Rennes!

As someone who had the opportunity to study abroad in Rennes as a broke college student on a scholarship, I benefited from any free or low-cost thing I could find around the city. Now that I have returned to Rennes as a Summer Alumni Intern, I still enjoy revisiting these locations and the memories I had there the year prior. Here is a list of activities and events that I recommend doing during your visit to Rennes:

1. Stroll through the parks

The Parc du Thabor is one of my absolute favorite parts of Rennes. It is a 25-acre park known for its plant diversity and aesthetic displays; and the best part is…it’s completely free to the public! I love to grab a good book and head down to the park to do some reading, or to grab some lunch from a boulangerie and eat in there as well. 

Another amazing (and free) park is the Parc des Gayeulles, a 247-acre park with a zoo, ziplining, ice rink, campground, sports field and complex, restaurant, and plenty of nature. While some of those features cost money, it is completely free to walk around, take in the natural scenery, and admire the animals!

2. Take advantage of the Soldes

In France, they do not typically have small, random sales in their stores throughout the year, but instead, they have two periods of large sales where prices are reduced 50%-70%. The first period is from early January to early February, and the second is from late June to late July. Ultimately, if you’d like to shop for clothes or anything else that you might need, the Soldes would be an amazing, reduced-cost opportunity to do so!

3. Explore the city

In Rennes, there are plenty of historical sites to see in such a small area, which is very convenient. It is completely free to walk from location to location and see beautiful places around the city like the historic city center, Parliament of Brittany, Portes Mordelaises, and Marché des Lices.

What impresses me about the city is its medieval half-timbered homes, which date back to the 15^th-17^th centuries and have survived the fire of 1720. Many of them lean due to their age, but they have proved to be whimsical relics of Rennes’ past.

Another option of places to visit would be the beautiful Catholic churches around the city. Built in 1845, the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre is one of my favorites because I find the architecture to be breathtaking inside and out. It is free for everyone to enjoy peace and tranquility. 

4. Attend the summer festivals

In France on June 21st, they have an annual festival called Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day, in which professional and non-professional musicians take to the streets and perform for everyone to enjoy. All the performances are free for all who attend, but it is also a great opportunity to discover new musicians and for musicians to be discovered! Another summer festival in Rennes that I love is Les Tombées de la Nuit, a festival in early July that hosts a variety of artistic, musical, and theatrical shows and performances. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a performance of opera Carmen, and it is still one of my favorite memories of my time in Rennes. Admission prices vary from 0-5 euros, so it is a low-cost option if you’re looking for a great time! 

A choir performing in front of the Parliament of Brittany during Fête de la Musique.

Overall, Rennes is a beautiful mix of city life and nature, with plenty of things to do on a budget! Your visit can be full of history and beautiful views without having to break the bank.

Interested in studying abroad in France for a summer? Check out CIEE's numerous high school summer abroad in France offerings!