On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the city of Rennes will observe the anniversary of the end of World War II, and many businesses will remain open to serve the public. This day, known as Victory in Europe Day, sees a variety of local establishments, including bars, bakeries, and supermarkets, welcoming customers with adjusted hours.
In Rennes, several bars and tabacs will operate on this holiday. Notable mentions include Bar Tabac Le Saint-Hélier, located at 83, rue Saint-Hélier, which will be open from 9 AM to 7 PM. Similarly, Bar Tabac Le 23 at 24, rue Saint-Hélier will extend its hours from 9 AM to 9 PM. Other establishments such as Au Bretagne, situated at 7, place de Bretagne, will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM, while Le Churchill at 1, rue de Bourgogne will serve patrons from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Tabac Presse le St Germain at 3, rue du Vau Saint-Germain will also be available from 9 AM to 7 PM, and Tabac Presse Italie at 2, rue de Suisse will operate from 11 AM to 10 PM.
However, not all bars will be open. Some, like Le Chiquito, Le Reinitas, La Havane, Le Marigny, Le Savane, and Le Pacific, will close their doors for the day.
Bakeries in the area are also prepared to cater to customers. For instance, Boulangerie Miravel at 132, rue de Fougères will maintain its regular hours from 7 AM to 8 PM. Boulangerie Feuillette, located at 35, Rue de Bray in Cesson-Sévigné, will follow suit with the same hours. Other bakeries, such as Grand père Jules at 28, rue de Nemours, will be open in the morning only, while Maison Coupel at 21, rue Saint-Hélier will operate from 8 AM to 1 PM. La tête enfarinée at 3, rue de Coëtquen will be open from 8 AM to 6:30 PM, and Boulangerie Geffray at 2, avenue Sir Winston Churchill will serve customers from 6:45 AM to 7:30 PM.
Several other bakeries will also be open during the holiday, including Maison Bécam at 69, rue Jean Guéhenno, which will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM, and Ty Vorn at 19, place de la Gare, which will welcome customers from 5:30 AM to 8 PM. However, a few bakeries, such as Au Four et au Moulin, Aux Délices De Sam, and Boulangerie Elluard, will remain closed.
In addition to bars and bakeries, various commercial centers and large stores in Rennes will be open on May 8. Grand Quartier, La Visitation, Colombia, and Alma will all operate from 10 AM to 7 PM. Other stores like Decathlon, Saint-Grégoire Le Centre, and IKEA will also be open during the day, with specific hours varying by location.
Restaurants, too, are getting in on the action, with a selection of eateries ready to serve patrons. According to local food enthusiasts, several restaurants will be open, including Séoul to Go, Banco, Les Champs Rôtis, and Robiquette. Food lovers can also find options at I Quattro-Canti Rennes, Sabibi Pita, HotMyDog Café, and It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, among others. The Instagram account Lesfoodrennes has compiled a list of these establishments to help diners navigate their options on this holiday.
Meanwhile, in Charleville-Mézières, a neighboring area, supermarkets are also preparing for the holiday. Intermarché at 197/199, avenue Carnot will be open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM, while another location at 69, rue de Monthermé will serve customers from 9 AM to 1 PM. Carrefour in ZAC Bois Fortant will be open from 9 AM to 7 PM, and Carrefour Contact at 38, avenue Saint-Julien will welcome patrons from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Other supermarkets, such as Supermarché Match at 42, avenue des Martyrs de la Résistance, will operate from 8 AM to 7 PM, while Netto locations at 57, rue d’Étion and 52, rue de Warcq will be open from 9 AM to 1 PM. Aldi stores in Warcq will also be open, with hours from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. Cora-Carrefour in Villers-Semeuse will be open from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
In Aisne, various supermarkets will also be available to customers. Notably, the Carrefour in La Romanette will be open from 9 AM to 7 PM, while the Auchan store in Saint-Quentin will operate from 9 AM to 2 PM. The Carrefour on the route de Bohain will open its doors from 8:30 AM to 7 PM, and the Leclerc in Harly will be accessible from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. Other locations, such as the Intermarché stores in Belleu, will be open in the morning.
In Montbéliard, the situation is similar, with major stores like Carrefour and Leclerc maintaining holiday hours. Carrefour Montbéliard will be open from 9 AM to 7 PM, while Leclerc will extend its hours from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Hyper U Exincourt will also be open from 9 AM to 7 PM, and Brico Dépôt Montbéliard will serve customers from 8 AM to 7 PM.
As the holiday approaches, residents of Rennes and surrounding areas can take advantage of the numerous options available to them. Whether it's grabbing a morning croissant, stocking up on groceries, or enjoying a meal at a local restaurant, the community is set to embrace the day with open arms.
