Rustic, festive and picturesque, Rennes is also a place of craftsmanship. Don’t wait any longer and discover the 7 best workshops to do in Rennes.
Discover Rennes along the pedestrian streets of the historic center, during gastronomic breaks and bistro exchanges, in the heart of musical laboratories and cultural hubs.
Keep your eyes peeled, and you’ll discover a host of charming stalls hidden between two medieval and Renaissance half-timbered houses, tucked away in a richly decorated mansion or on the edge of a cobbled square…
Among them are the workshops of local artisans who perpetuate ancestral traditions and charming manual skills. These passionate makers are only too happy to pass on their love of flowers, materials and delicacies… Discover the best ateliers à faire in Rennes.
1. Cosmetics and well-being
Natural cosmetics that respect your skin and the environment are all the rage. And rightly so! In any case, it’s not Anne who will say otherwise. This lover of eco-responsible products likes to use techniques shunned by the big industries and values extremely gentle formulas.
At her workshop in Rennes, for €49 and 2 hours, she’ll introduce you to making your own shampoo. As soon as you enter her saponification laboratory, the journey begins. First, there’s the bewitching scent of flowers and essential oils.
Then there’s the texture of clay and the softness of vegetable oils. These raw materials serve as the basis for your soap. Then there’s the color: your soap can be any shade you like. Patience: when you leave Anne’s, you’ll have to wait another month before you can use your dry shampoo.
2. Leather
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Are you on vacation in Rennes with your faithful four-legged friend? Then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t have a little souvenir too! Push open the doors of Caroline’s splendid refuge: a workshop in the heart of nature, where horses graze and absolute calm reigns.
This passionate craftswoman can make a leather collar for your dog for €89. Brown, orange, black: it’s up to you to find the perfect shade to dress your pet. During this 3h30 workshop in Rennes, you’ll learn the basics of leatherwork and saddle stitch: a hand-sewing technique.
3. Gourmand
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It’s hard to resist Xavier’s 2h30 workshop in Rennes, especially if you’re a bon vivant and an epicurean! All you have to do is smell the bread coming out of the oven, listen to the crunchy sound of the golden crust, touch the softness of the airy crumb, to literally succumb.
Put on your apron and make your own sourdough bread. Your craftsman opens the doors to one of the oldest professions in the world: that of the baker. With enthusiasm and passion, you’ll discover the secrets of sourdough and all its health benefits, all for €60.
This is followed by kneading, shaping and nibbling: all the traditional techniques that make bread so exceptional. In the end, you’ll leave with your own tasty product, made according to the rules of the art and with incomparable aromas thanks to the two fermentation times.
4. Ceramics
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Earthenware, a mineral ceramic made from white clay fired at very high temperatures, is timelessly elegant. Join ceramist Camille as she teaches you how to make and color a pair of tableware pieces. For 3 hours, she guides you, step by step, with her expert designer’s eye.
She takes you on a journey into her original world, reflecting on our everyday use of objects. In the end, you’ll create one-of-a-kind pieces that will accompany all your meals, or serve as a superb gift for your loved ones’ gourmet moments, all for €60.
A ceramics workshop in Rennes requires a bit of patience, since you’ll have to come back several days later to collect your work, after firing and glazing.
5. Textile
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Looking for an original design and a useful object at the same time? Then let yourself be tempted by the design of a laminated lampshade. This pretty creation will serve as a superb table lamp, straight out of your imagination. First, choose your fabric from those suggested by Aurélie.
She’ll be delighted to help you choose a color to match your taste and interior. Doesn’t laminating on polyphane sound familiar? This is the technique you’ll learn at this workshop in Rennes. After two intense hours, you’ll leave with a lampshade as functional as it is unique, for just €50.
6. Plants
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The beauty of plants and nature is a universal language. To decorate your home and add a touch of greenery and calm, opt for the elegance of a terrarium. Better still, create this fascinating micro eco-system yourself.
This is precisely what Frédéric invites you to do during a 2h30 workshop in Rennes for €65. This artisan plant designer opens the doors of his bubble, located at the heart of a natural universe.
Start by choosing the elements for your terrarium, work on assembling them, and respect the associations that will allow your piece of nature to live on its own… Plants, substrates, rocks and mosses will eventually be transformed into a poetic landscape, straight from your imagination.
7. Jewelry
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Celebrating a union? Celebrate it in the most original way at a wedding ring workshop in Rennes. Immersed in a rustic and enchanting workshop, you’ll spend 4 hours discovering Mathias and Nicolas’ ancestral know-how.
They’ll introduce you to the enigmatic technique of sand casting, all for €490. The result? You’ll leave with the famous rings that symbolize your love and seal your union. From the creation of the molds to the final punching: you’ll have designed everything. A unique and deeply romantic moment to spend with your other half.