Place Sainte-Anne (Sainte-Anne Square), Rennes
Situated north of the historic heart of Rennes, the old Sainte-Anne square has been around since the Roman period when it housed a pagan Mercury temple and triumphal arch. In the Middle Ages, the square was still found outside the city walls, being part of a suburb not far from the Porte au Saint-Michel (Saint Michael's Gate) and Porte aux Foulons (Fullers' Gate).
Nowadays, situated close to Rue Saint-Michel with its many bars, the square appears rather lively, especially in the evening. There are several architectural monuments in the area, including the new Saint-Aubin church, aka Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle (Our Lady of Good News) basilica, built in 1916 and still unfinished. Its predecessor, the old Saint-Aubin church, once stood in the western part of the square, until 1904.
The new basilica is nested among Medieval-style half-timbered houses, five of which, including the H么tel de Bretagne (built in 1586), at No. 9, and houses No. 10, 17, 18 and 19, are listed as historical monuments. The No. 19 house, formerly a private mansion of Jean Leperdit (who lived here until his death in 1823) is now occupied by Ty Anna Tavern.
Prior to 2002, the square had housed a large parking lot which has since been cleared and pedestrianized. Several excavations occurred during the construction of the Sainte-Anne metro station and the Congress Center (on the site of the former Jacobin Convent) have dug up more evidence attesting to the rich history of this area.
Nowadays, situated close to Rue Saint-Michel with its many bars, the square appears rather lively, especially in the evening. There are several architectural monuments in the area, including the new Saint-Aubin church, aka Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle (Our Lady of Good News) basilica, built in 1916 and still unfinished. Its predecessor, the old Saint-Aubin church, once stood in the western part of the square, until 1904.
The new basilica is nested among Medieval-style half-timbered houses, five of which, including the H么tel de Bretagne (built in 1586), at No. 9, and houses No. 10, 17, 18 and 19, are listed as historical monuments. The No. 19 house, formerly a private mansion of Jean Leperdit (who lived here until his death in 1823) is now occupied by Ty Anna Tavern.
Prior to 2002, the square had housed a large parking lot which has since been cleared and pedestrianized. Several excavations occurred during the construction of the Sainte-Anne metro station and the Congress Center (on the site of the former Jacobin Convent) have dug up more evidence attesting to the rich history of this area.
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Place Sainte-Anne (Sainte-Anne Square) on Map
Sight Name: Place Sainte-Anne (Sainte-Anne Square)
Sight Location: Rennes, France (See walking tours in Rennes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rennes, France (See walking tours in Rennes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rennes, France
Create Your Own Walk in Rennes
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rennes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Medieval Houses Walking Tour
From the late Middle Ages through to the end of the Ancien R茅gime (the period of Bourbon rule in France, from 1589 to 1789), a multitude of half-timbered houses were built in Brittany, and particularly in Rennes. Even today, the Breton capital is where half-timbered houses remain the most prevalent style of architecture, and a key element of the cultural heritage of the region reiterated in many... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Rennes Historical Churches Walking Tour
Historical churches occupy a significant place in the cultural identity of Rennes, France. Travelers with a keen interest in religious history and architecture will find plenty to look at in this town.
Standing out majestically among the local ecclesiastical landmarks is Rennes Cathedral. Built in the 12th century, it underwent a centuries-long transformation from its Gothic origins to its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Standing out majestically among the local ecclesiastical landmarks is Rennes Cathedral. Built in the 12th century, it underwent a centuries-long transformation from its Gothic origins to its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Rennes Introduction Walking Tour
Rennes began its existence as Condate Redonum, a Gallic and Roman town at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers. During medieval times, it became one of the three major cities of Brittany, together with Vannes and Nantes. The city played an important role in the Stamped Paper Revolt in 1675. During the French Revolution, it became the headquarters of the republican army in the fighting... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles