Parliament of Brittany

Historic Building in Rennes

CC BY-SA 3.0 / chisloup

The Parliament of Brittany is one of the most significant and iconic buildings in Rennes, both historically and architecturally. Constructed between 1618 and 1655, it served as the seat of the sovereign court of justice for the region under the Ancien Régime. Designed by architect Salomon de Brosse—who also worked on the Luxembourg Palace in Paris—the building is a harmonious blend of classical French and Breton influences, reflecting both royal authority and regional identity. Its prominent location at the heart of the city and its richly decorated façade made it a powerful symbol of Brittany’s political and judicial life.

Inside, the Parliament is renowned for its opulent interiors, especially the Grand Chamber, which features gilded woodwork, elaborate painted ceilings, and portraits of French kings and allegorical figures. These rooms were not only spaces of legal deliberation but also expressions of state power and grandeur. The court heard important civil and criminal cases, often involving the nobility or regional laws, and played a major role in local governance until the Revolution in 1790, when it was dissolved along with other provincial parliaments.

The building has seen its share of turmoil. Severely damaged during a fire in 1994 following a protest, it underwent meticulous restoration that lasted several years. Today, it houses the Rennes Court of Appeal and stands as a monument to the region’s heritage and resilience. It remains one of the few surviving parliamentsfrom the pre-Revolutionary period and is a must-see for visitors interested in the legal, political, and architectural history of Brittany.

The Parliament of Brittany appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Rennes!

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