Parlement de Bretagne

A Masterpiece of Justice and Art A true symbol of Breton history, the Parliament of Brittany is one of the jewels of 17th-century French heritage. Designed by Salomon de Brosse (the architect of the Luxembourg Palace), it was built to assert Brittany's prestige within the Kingdom of France. While its classical façade, blending white tufa stone and gray granite, impresses, its greatest treasure lies hidden within: the Grand Chamber. This sculpted and gilded ceiling, spared by the tragic fire of 1994, is considered a unique ensemble in Europe, illustrating the power of royal and provincial justice. A Resilient and Living Monument The Parliament is much more than a museum; it is the seat of the Rennes Court of Appeal, making it one of the few major historical monuments still in judicial use. After the devastating fire caused by a fishermen's protest in 1994, it underwent an exemplary ten-year restoration. Today, visitors can admire the exquisite woodwork, the Gobelins tapestries, and the paintings restored with surgical precision. It's a visit that blends historical emotion, architectural prowess, and an immersion into the workings of French law.