In a recent archaeological excavation in the historic Hôtel Dieu neighborhood of Rennes, a significant sanctuary has been unearthed. This discovery forms part of the redevelopment efforts for the former Hôtel Dieu hospital site.
Dating back to the 3rd century AD, the sanctuary was revealed during the excavation of the northern wall enclosing its courtyard, referred to as the area sacra. This extensive wall, measuring over 100 meters in length, encompasses at least one temple in its northern section, with a portion of an east-west street integrated into the southern part of the religious complex.
The scale of this sanctuary, unparalleled in Rennes, suggests it could be the civic sanctuary of the Redones, the Gallic tribe whose capital was the ancient Condate, now modern-day Rennes. References to the Redones are primarily found in inscriptions reused in the foundations of the city walls.
