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Chartres-de-Bretagne
ℹ️Practical info — Chartres-de-Bretagne
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The historic Fours à Chaux (lime kilns) are a must-see for understanding the local industrial heritage.
- Use the STAR bus network from Rennes; it's a cheap and stress-free way to reach the town.
- Bring or rent a bike, as the town features excellent cycling paths connecting to the countryside.
- Check the schedule at Pôle Sud, the local cultural center, for evening entertainment and concerts.
🍽 Food
Enjoy these classic Breton buckwheat and wheat pancakes at a traditional crêperie in the town center.
Pair your meals with locally produced dry or sweet cider, widely available in local cafes.
Try this buttery, flaky pastry from a local bakery for a sweet treat.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Visit the weekly market to buy fresh regional produce and local cheeses.
Look for small local boutiques in the center offering regional crafts and delicacies.
A large, relaxing green space excellent for an afternoon stroll or a family picnic.
Walk along the tranquil banks of the river Seiche for a peaceful escape from the center.
Water temperature…
Chartres-de-Bretagne is a thriving commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, located just south of the Breton capital, Rennes. The town is historically significant for its dual industrial heritage. In the 19th century, it was a major center for lime production, and the historic lime kilns at Lormandière remain as a protected industrial monument and ecological site today. In the 1960s, the town's landscape and economy were permanently altered by the establishment of the massive PSA Peugeot Citroën (now Stellantis) manufacturing plant nearby, which brought rapid population growth and urban development. Despite its industrial importance, Chartres-de-Bretagne maintains a high quality of life with extensive green spaces, particularly around the banks of the Seiche River. The town has modern facilities such as the Pôle Sud cultural center, providing a hub for arts and community events. As part of the Rennes Métropole, it provides residents easy access to the regional capital while fostering a distinct local identity rooted in Breton traditions and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
- Location: Bretagne, France
- Top sights: Pôle Sud Cultural Center · Town Hall · Piscine nordique
- Nearby: Orgères (5 km)
- Population: ~8.880
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 70 | 56 | 59 | 46 | 61 | 53 | 51 | 51 | 43 | 74 | 76 | 80 |
Geography
Facts
- Historic lime kilns located in Lormandière Park
- Adjacent to the Rennes-Nantes expressway
- Postal code is 35131
- Maximum elevation is 50 meters
- Total area of approx. 10 km²
- Member of the Rennes Métropole urban community
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Start your morning exploring the charming central streets, visiting historical and religious landmarks that ground the town's spirit. By midday, transition towards the town's cultural hubs, enjoying the modern architectural contrasts and lively atmosphere. Spend your afternoon immersing yourself in local history and scenic nature parks, taking time to walk the peaceful, green trails. Conclude the evening by experiencing the vibrant regional entertainment or taking a twilight stroll past the illuminated historic facades.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Pôle Sud Cultural Center
Château de Fontenay
Église Notre-Dame
Anciens Fours à chaux
In the morning, the thick chapel walls provide shelter from the early showers. At noon, the dry spaces of the Pôle Sud center allow you to discover local art comfortably. In the afternoon, we walk between the castle and church, staying careful on the slippery paths. In the evening, the lime kilns' silhouette concludes the day, appearing even more special with lights reflecting on the wet stones.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Pôle Sud Cultural Center
Château de Fontenay
Église Notre-Dame
Anciens Fours à chaux
The frosty morning begins in the quiet chapel, where the candlelight provides a warm glow. At noon, the heated galleries of Pôle Sud offer a cozy refuge from the winter wind. In the afternoon, take a quick walk in the castle park before the early sunset. The evening ends at the illuminated lime kilns in the crisp, fresh air under the clear winter sky.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Pôle Sud Cultural Center
Château de Fontenay
Église Notre-Dame
Anciens Fours à chaux
Start your morning exploring the charming central streets, visiting historical and religious landmarks that ground the town's spirit. By midday, transition towards the town's cultural hubs, enjoying the modern architectural contrasts and lively atmosphere. Spend your afternoon immersing yourself in local history and scenic nature parks, taking time to walk the peaceful, green trails. Conclude the evening by experiencing the vibrant regional entertainment or taking a twilight stroll past the illuminated historic facades.
Town Hall
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Château de Fontenay
Église Notre-Dame
Lormandière
Anciens Fours à chaux
Morning starts at the Town Hall with caution on wet cobblestones. At noon we cycle towards the chapel and castle, defying the rain in waterproof gear. In the afternoon the church and park follow, where fenders are very helpful. The evening ends at the lime kilns, while the city lights shimmer in the puddles along the cycling paths.
Town Hall
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Château de Fontenay
Église Notre-Dame
Lormandière
Anciens Fours à chaux
On the frosty morning we start at the Town Hall, watching for slippery spots. At noon we cycle towards the chapel and castle, where layered clothing protects against the wind. In the afternoon the church and park follow before the early sunset. The evening ends at the illuminated lime kilns, which look particularly monumental in the crisp winter air.
Town Hall
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Château de Fontenay
Église Notre-Dame
Lormandière
Anciens Fours à chaux
Start your morning exploring the charming central streets, visiting historical and religious landmarks that ground the town's spirit. By midday, transition towards the town's cultural hubs, enjoying the modern architectural contrasts and lively atmosphere. Spend your afternoon immersing yourself in local history and scenic nature parks, taking time to walk the peaceful, green trails. Conclude the evening by experiencing the vibrant regional entertainment or taking a twilight stroll past the illuminated historic facades.
Town Hall
Église Notre-Dame
Pôle Sud Cultural Center
Château de Fontenay
Lormandière
MusikHall
The car tour provides comfortable shelter in the morning rain at the Town Hall. At noon, visiting the church and Pôle Sud, it's just a few steps from the parking to the dry interior. In the afternoon the castle and park follow, where the landscape can be enjoyed through the window. The evening ends at the MusikHall, where cozy lights make you forget the storm outside.
Town Hall
Église Notre-Dame
Pôle Sud Cultural Center
Château de Fontenay
Lormandière
MusikHall
On the frosty morning we start from the Town Hall in the comfortable warmth of the car. At noon, visiting the church and Pôle Sud, nearby parking lots help avoid the cold wind. In the afternoon we discover the winter landscapes of the castle and park from the heated interior. The evening ends at the MusikHall, where pleasant temperatures make you forget the biting frost outside.
Town Hall
Église Notre-Dame
Pôle Sud Cultural Center
Château de Fontenay
Lormandière
MusikHall
Sights in the town Chartres-de-Bretagne (9)
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Rennes to Chartres-de-Bretagne?
What can you do at 'Pôle Sud'?
Are there industrial historical sites?
Is the town suitable for family outings?
Are there local markets?
Chartres-de-Bretagne: where is it located?
Chartres-de-Bretagne: what is there to see?
Chartres-de-Bretagne: when is the best time to visit?
Chartres-de-Bretagne: why is it worth visiting?
















