The meeting saw the light of day in 2019. Every fall, Carré Rennais, the association of Rennes traders and artisans, invites its members to liven up the city center to “make it ever more attractive, pleasant and lively. » The fifth edition of the “Rues Vivantes” festival is being held this Saturday with more than 150 merchants who will offer tastings, events and workshops in their downtown stores.
Throughout the day, strolls will also take place in the heart of the Breton capital with the presence of stilt walkers, Brazilian percussionists and a DJ on bike. To attract as many people as possible, public transport will be free. Despite the request made by Carré Rennais, this free service was refused by the city for the big annual clearance sale on June 28 and for the first weekend of the summer sales.
The association of Rennes traders and artisans would also like buses and the metro to be free every weekend, a measure already put in place in Montpellier, Nancy and Nantes. History of encouraging customers to return to a city center which is suffering like the others. “Not necessarily to consume but to walk, wander around,” Laurence Taillandier, president of Carré Rennais, told us in June. But for now, this free weekend service is not on the agenda in the Breton capital.