VENICE Italy
A Venetian getaway
Famous around the world for its stunning beauty but also for its Carnival, Venice and its lagoon are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The City of Lovers can be explored endlessly, on foot along its narrow streets known as “calli” and across its many bridges, or by boat, vaporetto or gondola.
Departing from Rennes, you can fly to Venice all year round via Lyon with HOP!, and via Paris with Air France.
- Climate : Venice has a warm Mediterranean climate all year round, and is very sunny in the summer.
- Time difference with France : None
- Currency : Euros
- Official language : Italian
- Travel document requirements : Passport or valid national identity card
- Tourist Information : www.italia.it/fr
Venice, the Most Serene
Venice is an open-air museum. Venice can be explored entirely on foot, along the typical "calli" (narrow streets), across the "campi" and "campielli" (squares and small squares), and across its beautiful bridges. The city can also be explored by boat along the Grand Canal, where visitors can admire the beauty of its most famous buildings.
Must-see sites in Venice:
- St Mark’s Square and Basilica
This is the most emblematic place in the city, Venice’s main square, a central meeting place for the inhabitants and also for tourists.
- The Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace, a Venetian palace built using Gothic architecture, was the residence of the doges, who ruled the city at the time of the Republic. This palace, steeped in history, was built before the Renaissance. It houses priceless works of art by artists such as Tintoretto, Titian, Bellini and Veronese. The Chamber of the Great Council contains the largest oil painting in the world, namely Tintoretto's Paradise.
It is one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe.
- The famous Venetian bridges
Rialto Bridge is no doubt one of the most important symbols of Venice, alongside the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica.
The Bridge of Sighs crosses the canal that separates the Doge’s Palace from the Prison.
It was named the "Bridge of Sighs" as it brings to mind the laments of convicted prisoners who would cross it on their way directly from court to prison.
The Accademia Bridge owes its name simply to the Accademia Museum located at one end of the bridge.
- The islands of Murano and Burano
Three islands in the Lagoon stand out for the reputation of their industries. Visitors usually come to Murano to witness its internationally-renowned glasswork. Burano's originality comes from its multicoloured houses and the scale of its lace production. As for Torcello, the island once had the largest population in the Lagoon, and is still home to its oldest church.
