Rennes: Daily Discoveries & Community Conversations

We’ve shared about major happenings while here in Rennes and on our excursions, but would like to give you a closer look into some of the other activities and encounters our students have experienced. Following the morning French classes every weekday, our students have so far had the chance to meet local high school students, sample cuisine from Rennes and surrounding parts of Bretagne, and explore contemporary art and music. Additionally, while paired up with another student, they have been prompted to initiate and document (in the form of a selfie or video) conversations in French with passers-by during a 45-minute period several times per week.

During our visit to a nearby lycée, or high school, our students divided into small groups with at least one French student for roundtable discussions. While speaking en français, they compared preconceptions about each other’s countries, cultural stereotypes, and differences in their school systems.

On our food tour, Rennes Gourmande, we met local food vendors and were invited to taste a variety of cheeses from around France, chocolates from one of Rennes’ most renowned chocolatiers, and crêpes and jus de pomme — as crêpes, galettes, and cidre are essentials of traditional Breton cuisine.

At 40mcube, a contemporary art institute in Rennes, we explored the themes of utopia and social justice in the multimedia exhibit « As Free as Ones Could Claim » by Marielle Chabal, a French artist whose work has been shown worldwide. 

Several photos from student experiences with « OZlefrançais » — our community conversations carried out in the street — are also included here. Look out for our upcoming post on Fête de la Musique!