In Rennes, this is what République will look like when the Vilaine car park has disappeared [Avant/Après]

A 270 m car park destroyed to free the Vilaine that it covers, trees planted, large lawns in front of the Palais du Commerce… It is one of the most emblematic projects of the mandate of Mayor Nathalie Appéré (PS). In Rennes, the Vilaine car park will close in summer 2025, the departure of the last car serving as the starting point for a long period of work which will culminate, in 2028, in the metamorphosis of the République sector.

The preliminary project was voted on in the municipal council this Monday. It concerns 4 hectares of public space developments going from the Mission Bridge to the Pasteur Bridge via Place de la République. The forecast budget amounts to 28,751,000, including 2,698,000 for the city of Rennes alone, the rest being borne by the metropolis.

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The objective is to ease travel in the city center, reduce pollution as well as the temperature in this mineral sector particularly affected by the effects of global warming.

In addition to the discovery of the parking lot, 184 trees will be planted throughout the perimeter, in the open ground. The northern platforms will be redeveloped to leave room for the express bike network and a pedestrian promenade, separated by a green alignment. Delivery areas are planned as well as a sidewalk which will be preserved at the foot of the buildings.

Place de la République, the kiosk and plant libraries will disappear in favor of large raised lawns, gently sloping, surrounded by stands. The slab under the square, which dates from 1912, will be reinforced.

La Vilaine will receive a new pedestrian bridge as an extension of rue Lanjuinais. Floating pontoons will welcome walkers at the water's edge. They will be installed along the Duguay-Trouin quay. They will be accessible via an access ramp and an existing staircase but hidden by the parking lot. The number of floating gardens will be increased.

Two stands will overlook the Vilaine. The first, facing east, will be installed at the west end, near Place de Bretagne. The second, located in the extension of the Place de la République, will be backed by the Pont de Nemours and will, conversely, offer a view of the setting sun.

Opposite the Museum of Fine Arts, a corbel will be created on the Vilaine to widen the northern sidewalk of Quai Zola, where the future Trambus station will be located.

On the edge of the Palais du Commerce, the Joffre square where the buses stop will be transformed into an open space. The neighboring rue du Pré-Botté will also be redeveloped. Pedestrianized and accessible to bicycles, it will be freed from the presence of buses and greened.

The objective is that the transformation of this sector in public space coincides, in 2028, with that of the Palais du Commerce, managed by La Poste Immo.