Rennes Cathedral, France by chelmsfordblue

Gayeulles Park is one of the largest in Brittany and a popular destination during the warmer months. It consists of three manmade lakes, pedalos, a swimming pool, an ice rink, a campsite, a miniature golf course, a farm for children and facilities for sports including tennis, squash and several other activities. With so much going on, it’s easy to spend a full day at Gayeulles Park, and it’s guaranteed to keep the whole family happy.

Rennes Cathedral

A trip to the Cathedral is an essential part of any trip to Rennes for architecture lovers. The work of architect Mathurin Crucy, 57 years of work went into its construction. Though the outer façade is quite simplistic and unassuming, the inside of the Cathedral is lavishly adorned with exquisite paintings and gold designs.

Breton Parliament

Breton Parliament represents the link between Brittany and France. The building itself is a sight to behold, made from granite and freestone with gilded characters embedded into the walls as a representation of justice. After a destructive fire in 1994, the Parliament underwent a massive restoration programme and is just as impressive today as it was in the 17th century.

Rennes houses, France by Mitch Altman

The Short Film Festival

The annual Short Film Festival is entirely dedicated to short films in the fantasy genre. It draws fanatics from all over the world to the city of Rennes. Though fantasy was previously a very specific niche, the event is attracting more and more visitors every year and the city has a unique buzz over the duration of the event. It usually runs for four days in October. As is the case for all planned functions, it’s worth booking a hotel well in advance if you plan to stay in Rennes whilst the Short Film Festival is taking place.

Rennes Eco-museum

Rennes Eco-museum, situated in the south of the city, tells the story of thirteen centuries of farming. It’s housed in a beautifully restored farm building and also serves as an observatory of ancient breeds of animals that have been preserved. The region’s history is explored through displays of costumes, tools and farming equipment, as well as reconstructed kitchens and larders. Of course, there are several other museums scattered throughout the city, but the Eco-museum is a fascinating location that provides a real insight into times gone by.

Rennes, France by Mitch Altman

Conclusion

Rennes is a city steeped in history with a diverse mix of attractions for visitors. It may not be one of France’s most obvious holiday destinations, but it can provide an interesting break for tourists.

Rennes is a great place to visit and has a number of great campsites for holiday makers. Especially noteworthy are “Camping des Gayeulles” and “Chateau des Ormes”. So take your camping equipment and pitch up your tent, if you need to buy any new camping items visit the Outdoor World Direct store which stocks all things camping.

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Lille, France by jledruide

1. Architecture

Lille has a large number of impressive buildings with a variety of different architecture. A number of these structures are in the centre of Lille, all within a quick walking distance of each other. Whilst there are also sights to see in the Old Lille which may require a quick bus journey. Attractions include the Palace of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts), the Voice of the North (Voix du La Nord) and the theatre (la Métaphore). One of the main reasons for tourists coming to Lille is to view these buildings in person, as well as many others that Lille has to offer.

2. Lille Grand Place

The busiest part of town when you visit this French City is the Grand Place. Popular amongst tourists and locals alike, la Grand’place de Lille plays hosts to several of the impressive architecture buildings and sights to see. There are beautiful views wherever you stand in the Grand Place, as well as opportunities to sit and enjoy your time here, whether it be in the centre of in a park nearby. The Grand Place itself hosts a large number of shops.

3. The Vieille Bourse

The Vielle Bourse, or the Old Stock Exchange to you and me in English is arguably the most prestigious monument in the city of Lille. It is situated between the Grand Place and Theatre Square and opposite Europe’s largest book store. On the front courtyard you are often greeted by book sellers and florists.

4. Monuments

As well as impressive buildings, there are a large number of monuments and statues scattered around Lille, each contributing their own part to the city’s history. Whilst walking around the Grand Place you will notice a statue of The Goddess looking down upon you. Other statues to view during your visit include one of General Faidherbe, a tribute to the Pigeons of the 1914-18 war and a War Memorial situated at the Palais Rihour.

5. The Zoo

Lille Zoo can be found situated north of the zoo and is easily accessible with a €1.40 short bus journey from the centre. Entrance is free and the zoo holds more than 70 different species of animal from five continents. These include Rhinos, Zebras, Gibbons and Birds. If you’re going with the family for a holiday to Lille, the zoo is a great option for the kids to have a fun hour or so outdoors.

6. The Citadel

Next door to the Zoo is the Citadel of Lille. The huge pentagon-shaped citadel that remains the largest in France was built by over 2,000 men in the 17th century and was besieged during the Siege of Lille in 1708. These days the Citadel remains in top shape and tour guides are available for €7 during the summer months.

As well as all of these attractions to visit during your stay in Lille, make sure you taste their food speciality, which is mussels. This seafood dish can be purchased in most restaurants and are often served in large saucepans, usually with a wine sauce.

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Jakab’s Palace, Kosice, Slovakia

There are about 240 thousand, mostly young people, living in the city of Košice. The city is therefore also called the city of youth. It is a home of several universities – Technical University, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University that includes faculty of Medicine, Law, Science, and others. This vibrant city is the seat of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic and can well take care of tourists and visitors.

Košice is not only a key economic agglomeration, but also the crossroad of transport routes. The town lies in the Košice basin along the wide valley of Hornád river, which is bounded on the west with foothills of the Slovak Ore Mountains (Slovak: Slovenské rudohorie).

Košice grew up in a crossroads of the trade routes connecting southern Europe with areas of the Baltic. Košice have a very good strategic location, because it lies close to three other states. Only 20 km away from Hungary, about 90 km from Poland, and about 80 km from the Ukraine.

Kosice main street, Slovakia

The city’s history dates back to the 10th century, when it was a part of Hungary. In 1369 the city gained a city emblem, which is the oldest documented city coat of arms in Europe.

Medieval history of the city is closely associated with trade and craft.

The historical center of Košice is the largest urban reserve in the Slovak Republic and is definitely worth visiting. The dominant sight of the city and its most important monument is the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth. It is the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. Cathedral has a double spiral staircase as one of just five in Europe. The adjacent St. Michael Chapel and St. Urban Tower create together with the Cathedral a great complex of national cultural monuments.

St. Elizabeth Cathedral and Urban Tower, Kosice, Slovakia

The historic city centre offers a pleasant pedestrian zone with lots of boutiques, bars and cafes. The main street is lined with Gothic and Baroque churches. A great atmosphere is supplemented with the playing fountain and a carillon. Park around the fountain is a universal place of relaxation for both young and old.

Among other sights of Košice you can find a baroque Town Hall, Andrassy Palace, State Theatre from 1899, The Levoča House (Košice’s oldest, still standing bourgeois building), Bishop’s Palace and the parish house, which now houses the Gallery of Claire Jakoby, which was a representative of Slovak art history.

Kosice main park and State Theatre, Slovakia

Košice’s golden treasure is one of Europe’s largest golden treasures. The total weight of gold in the treasure reaches thirteen kilograms. Its insured value is almost 8 million Euro but in fact has an immeasurable historical value. The East Museum in Košice built for it a special unique vault, and since 1970, visitors can see the treasure in the permanent exhibition. Golden treasure was discovered during digging the foundations of the new house in 1935 in Košice. The money and gold probably hid their owner in 1679.

Under the city centre you can visit the archaeological complex of Lower Gate. Lower gate was originally part of the fortification system. The remains were discovered in 90′s of the last century during the huge reconstruction of the city.

St. Michael Chapel, Kosice, Slovakia

Extremely rich cultural life in Košice represent theatres, clubs, museums and galleries or puppet theatre.

On the outskirts of the city is the international airport where you can also find interesting Museum of Aviation, which was open to the public in 2002. It documents the development of aviation and aviation technology from its beginnings until 1943. There are about 30 historical machines, aircraft engines, navigation and other devices that are used in aircraft. Definitely the most interesting exhibits of the museum are 18 original pieces of military aircraft.

In Katov bastion on the eastern edge of town you will find a zoological and geological exposure.

In Nicholas’s prison you can see jail facilities and torture chamber with the instruments that were made ​​specifically for the witches.

Nicholas prison, Kosice, Slovakia

I also have to mention the traditional Europe’s oldest and second oldest marathon in the world – the International Peace Marathon. Marathon was founded in 1924 and still takes place every year on the first Sunday of October.

The last and probably the biggest attraction is the Technical Museum at the north end of Košice. You will find here absolutely everything in terms of historical metallurgy, engineering, locksmithing, blacksmithing, energy, physics and chemistry.

The city is a birthplace of many celebrities such as Sándor Márai, Martina Hingis, Stefan Margita and Waldemar Matuska. In May of 2011 Košice held the Ice Hockey World Championship.

Levoca House and Slavia Hotel, Kosice, Slovakia

All pictures taken by Claire on March 2nd, 2013 for Europe Explored.

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