Situated at the junction of the Vilaine and Ille rivers, Rennes has a population of more than 200,000 and is one of the fastest growing Metropolitan areas in France .
Rennes--Saint-Jacques Airport (airport code RNS) is a small airport catering to the region with most flights carried by Air France, Alitalia, and Flybe.
Rennes invests heavily in music and the arts hosting a number of festivals each year. The metropolis also hosts four museums--a Museum of Broadcasting, of Fine Arts, of Brittany, and of Farming and Rennes Countryside.
Each year Rennes ranks either as the best or among the top for quality of life in France. The combination of a large student population (more than 60,000) and winding, quaint streets and passageways reveal a city at a crossroads between modernity and tradition, a peaceful daytime and vibrant night life.
With more than 50 bus routes, the Star public transportation system is extensive and easy to use. The metro, or VAL, is another option for transportation although it has only one line and 16 stops.
For a relaxing afternoon, visit the Jardin du Thabor which was once the kitchen garden for the Benedictines. Open to the public, this botanical garden is the largest in Rennes.