La Criée centre d’art contemporain

About the museum

The La Criée building was designed by architect Emmanuel Leray and completed in 1923. It was a market where fruit, vegetables and fish were sold, and the name of the venue recalls that period. A market still operates in the central halls, and the art center is located in the middle of it.

The site became a space for contemporary art in 1986, initially run by an association. It belongs to the first generation of art centers and then hosted large solo exhibitions by international artists. From 1996, the Frac Bretagne presented exhibitions here. In 1999, La Criée became a cultural facility of the City of Rennes. Since 2018, it has held the “Centre d’art contemporain d’intérêt national” label from the French Ministry of Culture.

The art center comprises two exhibition rooms of 135 m² and 25 m², as well as two small rooms of 12 m². It presents three exhibitions a year, solo or group shows, hosts artists in residence, and publishes catalogues as well as the review Festina Lente. The program also includes talks, concerts, film screenings and performances, open to everyone and free of charge.

Highlights

• Free admission
• Three exhibitions a year, solo or group shows
• Exhibition spaces in the former fish market hall of Rennes
• Puzzle booklets for children aged 6 and up
• Bookshop and documentation area with the art center’s publications

Founded

1986

Operated by

Ville de Rennes

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the exhibitions and events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The art center is wheelchair-accessible and reachable by the Handistar service; two reserved parking spaces are located in front. Walking-stick seats available on request at reception. Introductory texts and wall labels in Braille for each exhibition, large-print booklet on request, descriptive and tactile tours, tours interpreted in French Sign Language, induction loop on request and by reservation. Easy-to-read booklets (“facile à lire et à comprendre”) for each exhibition. Free toilets are located outside, in the car park of the central market.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Puzzle booklets with quizzes, observation games and drawings are available at reception for children aged 6 and up and their accompanying adults. Depending on the exhibition, an area offers games designed with artists and graphic designers. The art center also offers mediation activities for early childhood, after-school programs and leisure centers.

Getting there & parking

The art center recommends low-carbon transport. STAR self-service bike stations and bike racks are nearby. The city center can be reached in 10 minutes thanks to the park-and-ride facilities and bus and metro connections; La Criée is a 5-minute walk from the city center.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop and documentation area with books related to the exhibition and publications from La Criée; small-format works are also offered for sale.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit