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Rennes, located in northwestern France and situated at the confluence of the Vilaine and the Ile Rivers, is the capital of the province of Brittany. It has a population of 216,000. 400,000 people live in its metropolitan area. As a Celtic settlement during the sixth century BC and throughout the following centuries, it experienced many settlers and conquerors.
Rennes is an important economic, commercial and administrative center and has evolved into a renowned crossroads for high-tech research, telecommunications, manufacturing, agribusiness and electronics. Among the corporations in Rennes are Legris, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Ouest-France, Yves Rocher, Motorola, Groupe Le Duff, France Telecom R & D and Canon.
Rennes has a student population of 60,000, several major universities, and a strong cultural heritage including museums, the Franco-American Institute, an American Consulate, art galleries, an opera, and a symphony orchestra.
Find out more about business, education and quality of life in Rennes in its Sister Cities Profile.
Rennes-Rochester Study Abroad Scholarship (Deadline May 1, 2017)
This scholarship is for Rochester undergraduate students planning to study abroad in Rennes, France, Rochester’s first sister city established in 1958. Although the scholarship amount is small ($200), our appreciation of the students who undertake studies in our sister city, Rennes is great. We wish to recognize and promote the educational relationships that have thrived for decades between our two cities.
Rennes Information & Culture
- Rennes City Website (French)
- Rennes Office of Tourism (English)
- American Center France: History of the Rennes-Rochester Sister Cities’ Linkage
- Rennes Franco-American Institute (French)
- Association for Teen-Age Diplomats: Student Exchanges in Rennes
French Culture in Rochester
- Nazereth College Study Abroad Program in Rennes
- La Maison Française de Nazareth - Information and Event Calendar for Nazareth’s French House, a French cultural center for Rochester