An iconic parking lot soon to be erased from the map
With its 246 spaces, the Vilaine parking lot is one of the most used in the city center. Perfectly located near shops, the metro, and the banks of the Vilaine, it is now set to disappear to make way for an ambitious urban project: the rediscovery of the river, long hidden beneath concrete.
This decision was confirmed on Friday, June 6, 2025, by Nathalie Appéré and her deputy for urban planning, Marc Hervé. The goal: to give more space to nature, ease traffic, and provide the residents of Rennes with a new, greener, smoother, and more enjoyable place to live.
End of parking by the start of school
According to announcements from the city, the parking lot will close permanently at the start of the 2025 school year. A specific date will be communicated in the coming weeks, but drivers are already encouraged to anticipate this change and explore alternative parking options or public transport.
A new...
Republic in Sight
The removal of parking is part of a broader plan to redevelop the Republic neighborhood, with the first sketches unveiled in February 2024. This ambitious project includes:
*Enhancing the open-air Vilaine;
*Creating new pedestrian and cycling walkways;
*Planting green spaces;
*Improving the flow of eco-friendly transportation.
A Greener City, But a Headache for Drivers?
While the transformation is praised by advocates of a more breathable and future-oriented city, some shopkeepers and users are concerned about access difficulties and increased parking pressure in the city center. The municipality promises support to ease this transition and is working on improving the STAR network, along with clear signage for available parking.
In the meantime, get your GPS and bikes ready: the downtown area of Rennes is changing, and so are our commuting habits!
