Rennes: The Heart of Brittany

• HelloBonjour
  [bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [seel voo pleh / deh ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé
  [ehks-kew-zay mwah / deh-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mohn sa vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byen. ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr lah kart, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh suh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [ah-lay voo zahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-pay-lay lah plees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-pay-lay uh may-deh-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray zah-shey...]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gahrd zheust]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-veh voo beh-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell uhr ay-teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel ay oon uhr]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [deeze uhr ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [ma-tahn]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-man]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [kat-ruh]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [sept]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nuf]
• 10Dix
  [deeze]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo ay...]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell ay lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (surr lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn ay luh proh-shahn (bus)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor)]

Rennes, known in ancient times as Condate, was founded by the Redones, a Gallic tribe. It became a significant settlement during the Roman era, thriving as a hub of commerce and culture. Remnants of Roman architecture, such as the ancient city wall and the amphitheater, still echo the city's storied past.

During the Middle Ages, Rennes was a pivotal city in the Duchy of Brittany. The construction of the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and the Parliament of Brittany marked its importance. The city's medieval charm is preserved in its timber-framed houses and narrow cobblestone streets.

In 1720, a devastating fire ravaged Rennes, destroying much of its wooden architecture. The disaster led to a major reconstruction effort, spearheaded by architect Jacques Gabriel, resulting in a more modern and uniform cityscape. The classical style of Rennes' city center traces back to this period.

Rennes played a significant role during the French Revolution. The city was a hotbed of revolutionary activity, and the Parliament of Brittany was a focal point for political discourse. The revolutionary fervor is reflected in various monuments and the renaming of public spaces during that era.

The 19th century brought industrialization to Rennes, transforming it into a modern city. The arrival of the railway in 1857 connected Rennes to the rest of France, boosting trade and population growth. This era saw the development of new neighborhoods and the expansion of the city's infrastructure.

Rennes endured significant hardship during World War II. The city was occupied by German forces, and many of its buildings were damaged or destroyed by bombings. The liberation of Rennes in August 1944 was a pivotal moment, celebrated annually with commemorative events.

In recent decades, Rennes has experienced a cultural and economic renaissance. The city is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, prestigious universities, and technological innovation. Modern Rennes balances its rich historical heritage with a dynamic and forward-thinking spirit, evident in its festivals, museums, and urban development projects.

Rennes is located in the Brittany region of France. The nearest international airport is Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport, situated about 7 kilometers from the city center. Major airlines operate flights to and from various European cities. Alternatively, you can reach Rennes by train from Paris, which takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours via the high-speed TGV service. Buses also connect Rennes to other major cities in France.

Rennes has an efficient public transportation system operated by STAR, including buses and a metro line. A single metro line, Line A, runs from the southwest to the northeast of the city. Buses cover extensive routes throughout the city and its suburbs. Taxis are available and can be easily hailed on the street or booked via apps. Biking is also a popular option, with many bike rental stations around the city.

The official currency in France is the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most establishments, including restaurants, hotels, and shops. ATMs are readily available throughout Rennes for cash withdrawals. It is advisable to carry some cash, especially when visiting smaller shops or markets.

Rennes is generally a safe city for tourists. However, as with any urban area, it is important to stay vigilant. Avoid poorly lit areas at night, and be cautious in crowded places to prevent pickpocketing. The neighborhoods of Maurepas and Villejean have higher crime rates, so it is advisable to exercise extra caution when visiting these areas.

In case of an emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance, which is the universal emergency number in Europe. For non-urgent police matters, you can dial 17. The main hospital in Rennes is Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Rennes, which offers comprehensive medical services. Pharmacies are also available throughout the city for minor health issues.

Fashion: Do dress stylishly but comfortably. Rennes is a fashionable city, and locals appreciate well-dressed individuals. Avoid overly casual attire like flip-flops and beachwear. Religion: Do respect religious customs when visiting churches. Dress modestly and maintain a quiet demeanor. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding the metro or bus. Don't forget to give up your seat to elderly passengers or those with disabilities. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour' and a handshake. Avoid overly familiar gestures such as hugs. Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties like galettes and cider. Don't rush your meals; dining is a leisurely activity in France.

To experience Rennes like a local, visit the Marché des Lices, one of the largest markets in France, held every Saturday. Explore the Thabor Gardens, a beautiful park that locals frequent. For a cultural experience, attend a performance at the Théâtre National de Bretagne. Engage with locals in cafés and bistros to learn more about the city's culture and history.