Musée de Bretagne
Society museum devoted to the history and heritage of Brittany, housed in the Champs Libres in Rennes; the permanent exhibition is free.
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About the museum
The first collections of the Musée de Bretagne were formed during the Revolution: in 1794, confiscations brought the cabinet of curiosities of Christophe de Robien into the public domain. In 1855 the city decided to build a university palace on the quai Émile-Zola, which later became the Palais des musées. In 1976 the Musée de Bretagne became independent of the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
After some thirty years, it left the quai Zola for the Champs Libres building near the railway station, which it shares with the Espace des sciences and the library. Since 2006 it has occupied a dedicated floor, where a large table evokes a dolmen.
The museum holds nearly a million objects and documents, with a focus on Breton society and its transformations. The collections grow mainly through donations of objects accompanied by the stories of their owners, and an online portal makes them accessible. The museum regularly invites the public to take part in collecting drives and surveys.
The permanent display “Une histoire de Bretagne” follows the region from prehistory to the present day. The museum carries the “Musée de France” label.
Highlights
- Permanent display “Une histoire de Bretagne”, from prehistory to today
- Nearly a million objects and documents on Breton society
- Audio guide in several languages, including Breton and Gallo
- Shared online collections portal with the La Bintinais ecomuseum
- Mona Ozouf documentation centre
Permanent exhibition
- Une histoire de Bretagne – A chronological route through the traces left by history in Brittany, from prehistory to the present, with an audio guide and self-guided itineraries.
- Director
- Céline Chanas
- Visitors per year
- approx. 66,021
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Permanent exhibition free for everyone; under-26s enter temporary exhibitions free of charge. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free at temporary exhibitions, with a companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree at temporary exhibitions on proof. |
| Groups | €5 per personAdult groups: guided tour at €5 per person for paid exhibitions and €2 for free exhibitions; self-guided visit at €3 for paid exhibitions. Free for school groups. Booking by phone required. |
| Temporary exhibition – full rate | €5 |
| Temporary exhibition – reduced rate (job seekers) | €3 |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month, European Heritage Days, Museum Night
The permanent exhibition is free. Temporary exhibitions are free for under-26s, students, journalists, people with disabilities and their companion, culture professionals, holders of the Pass éducation or the Sortir ! card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description
Three step-free entrances with automatic doors; seat-canes and wheelchairs available to borrow. The museum limits wheelchairs in the permanent exhibition to 7. Induction loops at reception and with the audio guide, audio guide with audio description, tactile and descriptive tours, booklets in Braille and easy-read, videos in sign language. The building holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
During each school holiday period, a storytelling session, “La Bretagne contée”, for 4- to 8-year-olds, built around Breton legends. Free puzzle booklets for 3- to 6-year-olds and 7- to 12-year-olds are available at reception.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Charles de Gaulle
Metro line A (Gare or Charles de Gaulle stations) or line B (Gare station); buses C1, C2 and 11; Rennes railway station is nearby.
By car
Parking available
Charles de Gaulle car park (C-Park). Park-and-ride car parks, about 15 minutes by metro, are free with a valid transport ticket.
STAR bike station in front of the Champs Libres.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Café des Champs Libres (café, restaurant and tearoom with terrace, shared with the building) and the Le Kiosque museum shop and bookshop in the entrance hall.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, ES, DE, BR) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The free audio guide covers the permanent exhibition in about 1 hour (27 listening points) in French, English, Spanish, German, Breton and Gallo; it is returned at the museum's reception. Themed itineraries are also available in the Guidigo app. Groups book by phone at least two weeks in advance. |
