This is a first for the Couvent des Jacobins, its cloister and its garden. Since Saturday, December 21, this must-see in downtown Rennes has opened its doors for the end-of-year celebrations, and for the occasion, is fully illuminated after dark.
In the large, quiet covered corridors, families in small clusters look at the exterior lights. For today, it is forbidden to go out and approach the large canvas fir tree and the sky of stars, due to rain and high winds, which upsets some of the children stuck to the window, but from tomorrow, the garden will be accessible again.
A strong interest in Rennes heritage
From 10 a.m. and until 9 p.m., families, children and curious people can come and discover the interior of the building. “We know that there is a strong demand from metropolitan residents to discover this heritage place,” explains Marine Le Ruyet, who is in charge of the program for the opening of the cloister. Proof of this: the convent was packed on its first day of opening, and the gospel show, “a big success”, delighted young and old in a packed room. Same thing this Sunday afternoon, during the Christmas mail carrier show, which “very pleasantly surprised” the latter two. Later in the evening, some visitors stop by to take a look at the lights before lining up outside, in the line leading to the large auditorium, for the evening show.
A new must-have on the Christmas trail
Others came with shopping bags between two last Christmas gift purchases, or by chance, but all, like Sarah, a Rennaise who came for a walk with her parents, found “the place calm and the stars very beautiful” .
” It's beautiful ! », “It changes color!” », exclaim the children between two races in the wide aisles. Further on, a man in a hat hums an approximate version of “long live the wind” to his daughter. No doubt, the Christmas spirit is there, and that is indeed the objective: “We wanted to include a new place in the typical Christmas itinerary for visitors, with the Christmas tree, Parliament Square and the Mail Christmas market”, recalls Marine Le Ruyet, who hopes to build loyalty among residents and visitors.
For the rest of the school holidays, many activities are planned: makeup workshops, live shows or even gospel, as long as the stars of the cloister do not slip away in the next gusts.
Practical
Open every day except December 25 and January 1, until Sunday January 5. Free entry, via the tourist office. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Lifestyle
