I didn’t have any expectations of Rennes as I passed through it on my way to other parts of Bretagne, but I was pleasantly surprised as I discovered the town to be full of canals and old-style houses and gardens. Rennes was also the first place where I ever stayed in a youth hostel (my first of many since!) as well as being the first time I met so many people from around the globe who were backpacking through Europe. (1996)
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/canal.jpg)
This is one of the many canals which run through the town of Rennes and give it a unique character. Note the boats along the canal side.
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/auberge.jpg)
This was the first auberge de jeunesse (youth hostel) I had ever stayed in, so I was lucky to start off with such a nice one (and one that included a really good breakfast in the price too!).
This shot is part of another canal and it gives a better sense of the rustic scenery to be found in the older sections of Rennes.
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rennes-1.jpg)
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/oldstyle.jpg)
Although several parts of the city were destroyed in a big fire, some buildings still remain which show the old and colorful style of architecture which used to characterize area.
Rennes also has a large garden park called the Parc du Thabor full of flowers and plants from all over the world
![](https://photos.davidredd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/thabor.jpg)