Where to go out in Marseille?

A university town par excellence, Rennes combines dynamism, accessibility and quality of life. Located close to the city centre, the INSEEC Rennes campus, at 31 rue Monseigneur Duchesne, offers a learning environment connected to a lively, cultural and festive city. Studying in Rennes means taking advantage of the energy of a metropolis on a human scale, where every district abounds in activities to relax, enjoy culture and party.

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Student life

Student nights out: bars, cafés and nightlife

Rennes city centre is a veritable playground for students, with its cobbled streets, lively squares and numerous festive establishments.

Rennes is renowned throughout France for its famous “Rue de la Soif” (officially rue Saint-Michel), which is home to around twenty bars in a warm, student atmosphere:

Le Barantic: Breton atmosphere, local beers and conviviality.
Le Dejazey: popular bar with an eclectic atmosphere and live music.
La Lichouille: the emblematic shot bar to start the evening.
The nearbyPlace Sainte-Anne is also very lively, with its terraces ideal for an aperitif.
The Mail François Mittérand: a place to enjoy Rennes-style, lined with new bars and restaurants

And to extend the evening:

L’Ubu: a legendary concert venue known for its electro/rock atmosphere.
1988 Live Club: a nightclub in the centre of town, popular with students.
Delirium Café Rennes: 30 draught beers, a warm decor and regular events, this not-to-be-missed address is also the HQ of the BDE on our INSEEC Rennes campus.

And let’s not forget rue Dupont-des-Loges and rue Paul Bert, just 10 minutes’ walk from the campus! Both are on one side of the quays, and both are full of friendly bars.

Activities

Festivals and cultural events all year round

Rennes boasts a dense cultural offering, punctuated by almost 350 festivals that attract national and international audiences.

Les Trans Musicales (December): a must-see. Every year, this festival unearths the musical talents of tomorrow. The atmosphere is electric, with concerts in alternative and iconic venues across the city.
Les Tombées de la Nuit (summer): street arts, theatre and music in the parks and districts of Rennes.
Mythos Festival (spring): dedicated to the spoken word, with storytelling, theatre and French chanson.
Bars en Trans: during the Trans Musicales festival, many bars become temporary stages.
The Christmas Market (Place du Parlement): for a gourmet and magical break before the winter exams.
The Salle du Liberté (esplanade Charles De Gaulle): located 10 minutes from the campus, this venue offers a year-round programme of musical performances, comedy shows and sporting events (Open BLOT in September)…
And for fans of big events, the legendary Vieilles Charrues festival in Carhaix, less than two hours from Rennes, is a must-see summer music event in Brittany.

Environment

Move, breathe: sport and nature in Rennes

Rennes is a green city, where it’s easy to play sport or escape into nature without leaving the city.

Parc du Thabor: a real gem in the heart of Rennes, this 10-hectare park combines formal gardens, a rose garden, an aviary and wide open spaces. Ideal for a jog or a picnic.
The banks of the Vilaine and Ille rivers: perfect for cycling or walking, with routes as far north as Rennes.
Forest of Rennes (15 km away) or Brocéliande (1 hour away): immerse yourself in nature for a weekend.
Municipal sports facilities: swimming pools, pitches, climbing walls, numerous clubs at student rates.
VéloStar: self-service bicycle hire, ideal for student travel.
If you’re a keen runner, don’t miss the free “Tout Rennes Court” race in the heart of Rennes in October!

Heritage

Discover Brittany’s heritage and culture

Rennes also boasts a rich historical heritage and a contemporary art scene.

The Parliament of Brittany: one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, a place of justice as well as a venue for guided tours.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts: free admission for under-26s, with works by Botticelli, Rubens, Picasso…
Les Champs Libres: includes the library, the Musée de Bretagne and a planetarium. A place of knowledge accessible to all.
Théâtre National de Bretagne (TNB ): offers contemporary plays and international shows.
Les Halles centrales: the temple of Breton gastronomy, where you can sample local produce late in the morning.
The Lices market (every Saturday morning): The second largest market in France and the largest in Brittany, the Lices market is where the whole town meets and where you can taste the famous galette saucisse.

Opportunities

Why choose Rennes for your studies at INSEEC?

Rennes strikes the right balance between quality of life, accessibility, cultural richness and economic attractiveness.

With more than 70,000 students, or one in every three residents, it’s a young, dynamic, forward-looking city.
Rents and the cost of living are more affordable than in other major French cities.
A strong presence of start-ups, tech companies and green projects coordinated by LE POOL (French Tech): fertile ground for work placements and sandwich courses.
TGV links to Paris in 1h30, and a modern, fast bus and metro network.
Ranked among the top 3 student cities in France (L’Étudiant 2025).
Sustainable mobility: public transport, cycling, eco-festivals… Rennes is a pioneer when it comes to ecology.

Offers

Courses offered on the INSEEC campus in Rennes

INSEEC Rennes offers a range of professional courses from Bac to Bac+5, in initial or sandwich training.

BTS (Bac+2): communication, management, commerce.
Bachelor’s degree (Bac+3): personalised courses with specialisations in digital, sales, sport, HR, etc.
Masters of Science (Bac+4/+5): business expertise, sandwich courses, professional immersion.