March Wanderings - Snapshots of Rennes

I needed to take care of a bit of government bureaucracy stuff that warranted going to Rennes. That put me about half way to the Loire Valley. So I took the opportunity to set aside a few days and wander.

Here are a few photos of Rennes. It's not particularly quaint. But it has its moments. And I understand it has been voted one of France's most livable cities. It's not big but very lively, due in part to the presence of several colleges and universities.

The Parliament of Brittany

a market square - this day all the stalls had books

Church of St. Augustine

town ramparts

quirky Victorian Gothic house on the market square

Church of St. Germain

 This is kind of interesting. One of the things you see a lot around town are these exposed side wall. The street fronts are usually lined with nice, clean finish materials. But on the sides you see the rough stone that is behind it all. And then, since that stone isn't suitable for the construction of chimneys, you see clay brick incorporated into it, tracing the lines of the chimney flues as they make their way to the roof. It's all so exposed and the dichotomy of presentable front with utilitarian sides and back is so open. Somehow it feels very French. It's like mothers and wives of all ages who may choose to go topless at the beach. We all know what's there. We've all seen it since we were suckling babies. So what's the big fuss? Still, when you leave the beach and go into town, you put on your stylish outfit and heels and a bit of makeup.