mars 5-6: Rennes

Rennes wasn't so much of a destination as it was a stopover for me. I managed a few important errands while there: update blog a bit, do laundry, buy new cell phone (lost the first somewhere during cycling), but new camera cable. I didn't do much walking around there because my knee was killing me post-cycling, so I sadly didn't see much of the city. I did do the recommended walking route for tourists on a rainy morning, but that was about it.


Rennes is well-known for its big Breton parliament building which survived a 1720 fire and which was rebuilt over a five-year period after another fire on the roof in 1994. Sadly, tours inside were not on the days while I was there, but the outside is reasonably impressive, and I apparently didn't take a photo...

I also took in one very nice, short concert at the Rennes opera, however. I noticed a listing at the tourist office for "Happy Hour" at the opera on Thursday night which was a one-hour concert with commentary with music focusing on operas with Breton themes, whether they were set in Brittany or inspired by Breton legends. The crowd was much like lots of American classical music crowds -- lots of older folks, but also a sprinkling of people my age and at least two young boys who did not look too excited to be there. Four singers and a pianist worked through the repertoire with comments in between from someone I assume to be a music director or something. I think my favorite song was from an opera about a man who works at a small train station in Brittany. The opera house itself was a cool building, and its inside ceiling also had a traditional Breton mural.



Also found a pastry shop run by another meilleur ouvrier de France where I bought dessert one night. The bird's nest looking thing has chestnut sweet paste as the spaghetti.


Really not much more to say about Rennes!