DISCLAIMER: Dear followers, please note that, while we are still posting about our travels around the world, we are not currently on the road. Fortunately, we were here in the States when the Coronavirus hit and are now hunkered down near our family. Since we tended to see 4-5 attractions each day ( when we were traveling), but can only blog about one at a time, what you are currently viewing happened seven months ago (long before the onset of this disaster). Please stay safe and we hope you continue to enjoy our postings.
The most important historical building in Rennes is the “Parliament of Brittany.” However, this was not the typical purely legislative edifice we have come to know, but, rather, a court of justice.
Prior to 1789, when all “Parlement” offices were formally put to an end , the Parlement de Bretagne was a “...sovereign court of justice...” handling appeals from lower jurisdictions (i.e. an appeals court). It did have some restricted legislative powers and was deemed to be autonomous from the monarchy ( established as the “Breton Liberties” under the Treaty of Union with France.
In 1532, the Dutchy of Brittany officially became part of the Kingdom of France. Twenty-one years later, the “Parlement de Bretagne” was established, with it location alternating between Rennes (August to October) and Nantes (February to April). Rennes began to raise taxes for the construction of a new parliament building in 1578. Its foundation stone was laid in 1618 and the building opened in 1655.
Louis XIV became angry with Rennes for its support of the Stamp Duty Revolt and punished the city by moving parliament to Varennes in 1675, Fifteen years later, it was able to return to Rennes. When France set up new administrative areas in the country during 1790, Rennes’ Parliament opposed it and refused to send representatives to the “ Etats Generaux.” So, the French government shut Rennes’ parliament down. By 1804, things had eased a bit between the city and the country, with the result that Rennes was able to host a new Court of Appeals.
A devastating fire on February 4-5, 1994 (set off during violent demonstrations by local fishermen) destroyed the Parliament building. It took five full years to restore the building to the level that it could reopen. This seat of the regional appeal court attracts large numbers of tourists each year, and is one of the few places in France where justice and tourism coexist.
The most important historical building in Rennes is the “Parliament of Brittany.” However, this was not the typical purely legislative edifice we have come to know, but, rather, a court of justice.
Prior to 1789, when all “Parlement” offices were formally put to an end , the Parlement de Bretagne was a “...sovereign court of justice...” handling appeals from lower jurisdictions (i.e. an appeals court). It did have some restricted legislative powers and was deemed to be autonomous from the monarchy ( established as the “Breton Liberties” under the Treaty of Union with France.
In 1532, the Dutchy of Brittany officially became part of the Kingdom of France. Twenty-one years later, the “Parlement de Bretagne” was established, with it location alternating between Rennes (August to October) and Nantes (February to April). Rennes began to raise taxes for the construction of a new parliament building in 1578. Its foundation stone was laid in 1618 and the building opened in 1655.
Louis XIV became angry with Rennes for its support of the Stamp Duty Revolt and punished the city by moving parliament to Varennes in 1675, Fifteen years later, it was able to return to Rennes. When France set up new administrative areas in the country during 1790, Rennes’ Parliament opposed it and refused to send representatives to the “ Etats Generaux.” So, the French government shut Rennes’ parliament down. By 1804, things had eased a bit between the city and the country, with the result that Rennes was able to host a new Court of Appeals.
A devastating fire on February 4-5, 1994 (set off during violent demonstrations by local fishermen) destroyed the Parliament building. It took five full years to restore the building to the level that it could reopen. This seat of the regional appeal court attracts large numbers of tourists each year, and is one of the few places in France where justice and tourism coexist.
Officially opened in 1655 (after 35 years of construction), Rennes’ “Parlement de Bretagne” eventually became the most important historical building in the city. Noted more as a Court of Appeals rather than a purely legislative edifice, it went through a lot of turmoil over the years.
Half-hour tours are the only way to visit the building’s interior.
This main reception hall seems more suited for a palace than a court of Justice
Its medallion, depicting the city’s Coat of Arms, dominates the Waiting Room ceiling.
A rather plain doorway is the entrance to one of the most spectacular rooms in the building...
... the Grand Chamber, in which the limited legislative powers were decided.
However, the main purpose of the building was to serve as a Court of Justice, hearing appeals from lower jurisdictions.
Like most official buildings of its era, the Parlement de la Bretagne sported a central courtyard.
A spectacular fire (as depicted in this archival photo) in 1994 during a demonstration by local fishermen destroyed the building. It took five years to restore the building to its former glory.
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