Untapped potential. In the city center of Rennes, the small places like La Parcheminerie, Champ-Jacquet or Toussaints leave the inhabitants a little unsatisfied. Questioned during the Rennes 2030 consultation, people from Rennes felt that these small squares too often looked like car parks and had no real use or identity.
Engaged in a major reflection on the future of its city centre, the Rennes municipality is therefore embarking on the reconquest of its squares. After several months of delay, due to the health context and the delay in the delivery of line B of the metro, the construction site starts this Monday on the Place de la Parcheminerie which faces the theater of the same name. Despite the grumbling of some residents and traders, the small eight-space car park that is currently there is set to disappear.
An entirely pedestrian square
The city will take the opportunity to green the square, which will be entirely pedestrian, with the planting of around twenty trees as well as shrubs, climbing or perennial plants and ground covers. “The surface planted in the ground will reach 200 m², against 17 m² currently”, specifies the city. A belvedere will be set up on the upper part of the square, at rue de la Chatolais, while the lower part will be planted with a stone staircase to ensure the connection.
The construction site, which costs around one million euros, should be completed at the beginning of 2023. During the duration of the works, access for pedestrians, residents and businesses will nevertheless remain possible.