After a short walk from the Town Hall square we arrived to the Parlement of Brittany, one of Rennes and Brittany's finest monumental buildings.

Steeped in history, this imposing law court overlooks the stately town square that bears its name.
Before its annexation to France in 1532, Brittany had a superior court of law known as the Parlement, presided over by a "universal judge".

Charles VIII married Duchess Anne of Brittany in 1491.
A year later, he reorganised the existing court and established the "Grands Jours".

In March 1554 Henry II established the Parlement of Brittany, a sovereign and provincial court of justice, whose role was to "uphold the customs and traditions of ancient France's regions".
Royal edicts were also registered there and the court had the right to remonstrance against the King if local traditions were not respected.

Half of the Parlement's magistrates were native Bretons and half were non-natives, as ordained by the King, who was concerned by the former's desire for independence.