Car Hire Rennes Bretagne Airport (RNS)
If you’re planning a trip to Brittany in France, you’ll find booking an Avis hire car from Rennes Bretagne Airport (RNS) an easy way to explore this part of the country at your own pace.
Rennes is the capital of city of the region of Brittany located in the country’s northwest peninsula so hiring a car from Rennes Airport is the ideal start to driving France’s beautiful coast.
The city is the region’s main commercial centre and within reach of popular tourist destinations like Mont St-Michel and St Malo as well as the region’s other main centres, Nantes and Brest which is a 2.5hr drive.
Whether you are travelling to Rennes for business or leisure, our friendly, efficient Avis team at Rennes Bretagne Airport is ready to provide the perfect rental car for your trip.
Book direct with Avis and you’ll benefit from flexible booking with free cancellation, a fleet of quality rental vehicles and speedy collection to get you on the road plus we’ve a free loyalty programme with a host of travel benefits you’ll love.

Where to find us
You’ll find our Avis counter at Rennes Airport located in the arrivals area of the airport at the front of the terminal building. You’ll be collecting your vehicle from the PL car park which is just outside the terminal.
About Rennes Airport
Rennes Bretagne Airport (RNS) also known as Rennes Saint-Jacques Airport is the 25th largest airport in France and welcomes around 500,000 passengers a year.
First opened in 1933 by Pierre Cot, France’s first Air Minister, it has been given the go ahead to develop as a small international airport and key destination for the region.
Today, the airport has a connection to the high-speed TGV railway and serves 12 destinations in 4 countries as well as domestic flights to 7 French destinations including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Biarritz and Marseille Airports.
The airport is located on the southwest side of the city of Rennes in the suburb of Saint Jacques-de-la-Landes with good road access via the E3 highway.
Tips for driving in Rennes
If you have not driven in France or are arriving in Europe from a long-haul flight, we’d suggest checking the road rules for driving in France before you travel.
If you are travelling in Winter and planning to drive to the mountains, you may need winter tyres to be fitted to your car and our team at Avis at Rennes Airport will be able to advise you on the winter car equipment you need plus local conditions at your destination.
Rennes car rental FAQs
What are the age requirements for renting a car in Rennes?
The minimum age to rent a car in France is 18. Age restrictions also vary by vehicle and some selected car groups are not available to drivers under the age of 25.
There is currently no maximum age for hiring a rental car, so long as you have had a full, valid, license for at least 1 year. Some additional steps may be required for those who are over the age of 75 on the date of the scheduled return.
What documents do I need to hire a car in France?
To hire a car in Rennes, France, you just need to bring your:
- Driving licence
- The credit card used to make your booking (if it's a high value vehicle two payment cards must be provided, one of which needs to be a credit card),
- Proof of any discount (such as a frequent flyer or Avis Preferred card),
- Photo ID for international rentals (such as a passport or driving licence) taken in the last 10 years.
Can I pick up my rental car in Rennes and return it to another location?
One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. That means you can collect your Avis hire car from Rennes Airport and then return it to another Avis office whether that’s in France or even another country in Europe. Many of our Avis locations offer a 24-hour drop-off facility, which makes a one-way car hire hassle-free and very user-friendly. Simply check out our many available one-way journeys and start planning your route. When you are ready to book, just specify your destination in the booking panel and we will arrange it for you.
Is it worth hiring a car in Rennes?
As Brittany’s cosmopolitan capital city, Rennes is the perfect starting point for your road trip around northern France. When you pick up your Avis hire car from Rennes Airport, you’re perfectly placed to explore all this city has to offer but renting a car at Rennes Airport gives you the freedom of independent travel as well as the opportunity to plan a dream French road trip.
The Avis team at Rennes Airport are experts on Rennes and the surrounding region of Brittany and can offer advice on the best routes to take and make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.
What is parking like in Rennes?
Parking in Rennes can be restricted in the city centre where there are five different parking zones, however the city is well-served with park and ride facilities and parking at key metro stations.
You can find out more about the zones and parking options from the city council.
How to get from Rennes Airport to Rennes
From the Avis car park at Rennes Airport to the centre of Rennes is a drive of 8km which will take around 15min depending on the time of day. Head northeast from the airport and drive along the D834 and D177 following signs to the centre of the city.
Things to do in Rennes
Located at a crossroads between north-west France’s biggest cities, Rennes is a vibrant and lively centre which acts as the gateway to all that Brittany has to offer.
The capital of Brittany, Rennes is a lively student centre. While a modern city, its medieval quarter is a labyrinth of ancient buildings and winding streets.
Don’t miss the beautiful Thabor gardens which has hundreds of different species of rose, tropical gardens and striking European trees. Also check out Le marché des Lices, a large market in the centre. Bustling with activity, you can pick up delicious French produce, from fresh seafood to local cheese and wine.
Recommended day trips from Rennes Airport
In the very heart of Brittany, Rennes makes for a great base to tour this incredible region of France.
Mont Saint-Michel
The third most visited monument in France, Mont Saint-Michel is unforgettable. Accessible at low tide, this rocky islet sits just off the coast of Normandy and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. On the island, the famous Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel is a gothic wonder, dominating the skyline. Just an hour’s drive north along the A84 from Rennes, the unrivalled beauty of Mont Saint-Michel awaits.
Cancale
For a quintessential French destination, look no further than the fishing village of Cancale. Known for its delicious seafood, the local oysters are a particular delicacy. Cancale is just under an hour’s drive north along the D137 from Rennes and has a plethora of quayside restaurants and stunning views over the beautiful Baie de Saint-Michel.