Museum
Musée de Bretagne
Rennes · Ille-et-Vilaine
At the Champs Libres in Rennes, a large free museum tracing the history of Brittany from prehistory to today, with nearly a million objects and documents held together with the Écomusée de la Bintinais.
- Suggested time
- 2 to 3 hours for the permanent exhibition, longer with the Dreyfus route
- Type of place
- Museum of history and society devoted to Brittany
- Atmosphere
- Modern, educational and richly documented, in the contemporary architecture of the Champs Libres
- Getting there
- Les Champs Libres, 10 cours des Alliés, in central Rennes. The SNCF station is about 100 m away. Metro A and B, Gares station.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 10/10
- As a couple
- 9/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 1/10
- Reduced mobility
- 10/10
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 Musée de Bretagne occupies the first floor of the Champs Libres, a few metres from Rennes station. A museum of history and society, it tells the long story of Brittany, from the first human settlements to contemporary social, economic and cultural change. Its permanent exhibition, Une histoire de Bretagne, is designed as a great chronological journey. Archaeological objects, statues, coins, clothes, tools, posters, photographs, films, models and everyday objects link major history with individual experiences. The museum takes a broad view. Farming, industrialisation, religion, languages, social movements, wars, migration, food and the shaping of identities are placed in their historical context. The collections of the Musée de Bretagne and the Écomusée de la Bintinais form a shared collection of nearly a million objects and documents. Textiles, graphic arts, photography, coins, archaeology and ethnography are among the main groups. The museum also holds an exceptional collection on the Dreyfus affair, with more than 8,000 documents. A new permanent route of more than 200 m², devoted to the affair and the 1899 Rennes trial, opened on 20 June 2026. One of the museum’s great advantages is its price: the permanent exhibition is free for everyone. The Champs Libres are open Tuesday to Friday from 12 pm to 7 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm.
What you will see
- A large free permanent exhibition on the history of Brittany.
- A route from prehistory to contemporary Brittany.
- Nearly a million objects and documents held with the Écomusée de la Bintinais.
- Collections of archaeology, photography, textiles and everyday objects.
- An exceptional collection of more than 8,000 documents on the Dreyfus affair.
- The new Dreyfus route, opened on 20 June 2026, over more than 200 m².
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- Free audio guides in several languages, including Breton and Gallo.
- An audio-described version and many accessible features.
- Free activity booklets for children.
- An ideal location at the Champs Libres, right next to the station.
Practical information
- Address
- Les Champs Libres, 10 cours des Alliés, 35000 Rennes
- Public transport
- Metro A and B, Gares station; SNCF station about 100 m away.
- Pets
- Animals not allowed in the Champs Libres, except guide dogs and assistance animals.
- Accessibility
- Step-free entrances, lifts, wheelchairs and walking-stick seats on loan, audio description and adapted facilities.
Tips on the spot
- The permanent exhibition Une histoire de Bretagne is free for everyone.
- During school terms: Tuesday to Friday 12 pm to 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2 pm to 7 pm.
- During the zone B short school holidays, it opens from 10 am on weekdays.
- The Champs Libres are closed on Mondays and public holidays.
- Temporary exhibitions may be paid.
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- On the first Sunday of the month, paid temporary exhibitions are free.
- Ask for the free audio guide.
- With children, pick up the free activity booklets.
- Do not miss the new route on the Dreyfus affair.
- The museum is very accessible, with lifts and adapted facilities.
- Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs and assistance animals.
- Large bags and suitcases are not allowed in the galleries.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Musée de Bretagne free?
Yes. The permanent exhibition is free for everyone.
Where is the Musée de Bretagne?
At the Champs Libres, 10 cours des Alliés in Rennes, right next to the station.
What are the opening hours?
During school terms: Tuesday to Friday 12 pm to 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2 pm to 7 pm.
How much time should I allow?
About 2 to 3 hours.
What does the museum cover?
The history of Brittany from prehistory to the present day.
Why does the museum have a Dreyfus collection?
Alfred Dreyfus’s retrial was held in Rennes in 1899.
See also all the museums in Brittany.
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Photograph: Manulapluche · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons