Rennes City at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers, nw France; capital of Ille-et-Vilaine department. During the Middle Ages, Rennes served as capital of Brittany under the Angevin dukes. In the 16th century, it became the seat of the parliament of Brittany. Rennes suffered heavy bombing in World War II. Industries: leather, printing, textiles, electronic equipment, motor vehicles, oil refining. Pop. (1999) 212,494.

Rennes originally established as the capital of a Celtic tribe, the Redones, from whom it derives its name, later becoming the capital of the ancient kingdom and duchy of Brittany.