Museum
Rennes Museum of Fine Arts
Rennes · Ille-et-Vilaine
On Quai Zola, a free museum mixing a cabinet of curiosities, antiquities, European masters, Georges de La Tour, drawings and modern art. The permanent collections are free all year.
- Suggested time
- 1 h 30 to 2 h 30
- Type of place
- Museum of fine arts and archaeology, with free permanent collections
- Atmosphere
- Calm and classical, between a cabinet of curiosities, great European paintings and modern rooms
- Getting there
- 20 quai Émile-Zola, 35000 Rennes. Metro A, République station, or metro B, Saint-Germain station. Bus stops nearby and a bike station in front of the museum.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 9/10
- As a couple
- 9/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 1/10
- Reduced mobility
- 9/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The Rennes Museum of Fine Arts stands on Quai Émile-Zola, on the banks of the Vilaine, a few minutes from the historic centre. Its permanent collections are free for everyone, so you can easily come back to see a work, a group or a room without devoting a whole day to the museum. An essential part of the collection comes from the cabinet of curiosities of Christophe-Paul de Robien, a senior judge at the Parliament of Brittany in the 18th century. Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, archaeological objects, drawings and curiosities give the museum a depth that goes far beyond a simple picture gallery. European painting takes a major place. The Italian, French, Flemish and Dutch schools let you travel through several centuries of art. Georges de La Tour’s The Newborn is one of the museum’s most famous works and often a highlight of a first visit. The collection of drawings and graphic art is also remarkable. As in all museums, these fragile works cannot be shown permanently, so the displays change. The route continues to the 19th and 20th centuries, then modern and contemporary art. Since 2025, the Rennes Museum of Fine Arts also has a second site in Maurepas, with its own opening hours and programme. Quai Zola is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The permanent collections are free. Temporary exhibitions usually cost €5 full price and €3 reduced, with many free categories.
What you will see
- Permanent collections free for everyone.
- The cabinet of curiosities of Christophe-Paul de Robien.
- Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities.
- Georges de La Tour’s The Newborn, an iconic work.
- Italian, French, Flemish and Dutch paintings.
- A large collection of drawings and graphic art.
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- 19th-century, modern and contemporary collections.
- A central location on the banks of the Vilaine.
- Regular tours and activities for families and young visitors.
- The museum’s second site in Maurepas to round off the visit.
Practical information
- Address
- 20 quai Émile-Zola, 35000 Rennes
- Public transport
- Metro A, République; metro B, Saint-Germain; several bus lines nearby.
- Pets
- Pets generally not allowed in the galleries; guide and assistance dogs welcome. Check the current rules.
- Accessibility
- The site is equipped to welcome visitors with reduced mobility; see the accessibility page for specific facilities.
Tips on the spot
- The Quai Zola site is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
- The museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
- The permanent collections are free for everyone: no ticket is needed for the permanent route.
- In 2026, temporary exhibitions usually cost €5 full price and €3 reduced, with many free categories.
- Do not confuse the Quai Zola opening hours with those of the Maurepas site, which follows a different calendar.
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- Allow 1 h 30 for a focused first visit, 2 to 2 h 30 to see every section.
- Do not miss Georges de La Tour’s The Newborn on a first visit.
- The Robien cabinet is a good way in with children, thanks to the variety of objects.
- Works on paper change regularly for conservation reasons: a new visit may reveal other drawings.
- The metro is the easiest way to get there from the centre and the station.
- For a specific temporary exhibition, check its dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rennes Museum of Fine Arts free?
Yes. The permanent collections at Quai Zola are free for everyone.
What are the opening hours?
Quai Zola is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Where is the museum?
At 20 quai Émile-Zola, on the banks of the Vilaine, in central Rennes.
Which work should I see first?
Georges de La Tour’s The Newborn is one of the museum’s most famous works.
What is the Robien cabinet?
A group of works from the encyclopaedic collection of Christophe-Paul de Robien, including antiquities, objects, drawings and curiosities.
How much time should I allow?
About 1 h 30 to 2 h 30, depending on your interest in the different sections.
See also all the museums in Brittany.
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Photograph: XIIIfromTOKYO · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons